# Where Does the FCC fine money go?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 9, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826 "2005-01-09T02:50:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/1 "2005-01-09T02:50:43Z")
As we’re approaching the Super Bowl again, my mind is on what the size of the fine will be when Sir Paul exposes a bejeweled nipple. Most importantly, I’m wondering where the money that the network, the affiliates, or the artist will pay in fines will go. Does it go to a general fund in the big ol’ budget? Does it go to the better cell phone reception budget?
Whither the fine money?
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### Author:  [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/2 "2005-01-09T03:18:37Z")
It goes to the US Treasury and becomes part of the general US budget.
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### Author:  [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/3 "2005-01-09T03:48:07Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#):
>
> It goes to the US Treasury and becomes part of the general US budget.
Sweet! So more boobies on TV means a lower budget deficit! Okay, ladies, you know what to do! 😃
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### Author:  [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/4 "2005-01-09T22:55:29Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#):
>
> It goes to the US Treasury and becomes part of the general US budget.
Do you have a cite for this?
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### Author:  [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/5 "2005-01-10T05:01:07Z")
> [@CapnPitt](#):
>
> Do you have a cite for this?
No cite, but it is a general principle that all money collected as fines, duties, taxes, service fees, etc. goes into the general fund. Congress is the only part of the government with the constitutional authority to authorize spending by the federal government. All money must flow through the budget process.
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### Author:  [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/6 "2005-01-10T06:32:34Z")
> [@CapnPitt](#):
>
> Do you have a cite for this?
A quick search gives me US code Title 47, Section 504(a), which says, in part:
> [@](#):
>
> The forfeitures provided for in this chapter shall be payable into the Treasury of the United States…
If you want a better cite than that, I might be able to find one. I’ll also mention, in case you were curious, that I’ve been working as a paralegal in a telecommunications law firm for the past 5 years.
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### Author:  [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-fcc-fine-money-go/283826/7 "2005-01-10T14:49:48Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#):
>
> A quick search gives me US code Title 47, Section 504(a), which says, in part:
>
> If you want a better cite than that, I might be able to find one. I’ll also mention, in case you were curious, that I’ve been working as a paralegal in a telecommunications law firm for the past 5 years.
Good enough. Thanks for the help.