Final answer:
The entity that oversees campaign contributions and enforces lobbying activities at the federal level is the Federal Election Commission (FEC). They ensure transparency in funding and adhere to regulations put forth in various acts like the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. While the FEC operates federally, each state usually has its own ethics commission or equivalent body that performs similar functions at the state level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The entity that oversees campaign contributions and regulates and enforces lobbying activities is known as the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Established by the 1974 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), the FEC operates independently of the government and is responsible for enforcing election laws.
This includes overseeing campaign finance, demanding transparency in campaign funding, and implementing regulations regarding political action committees (PACs). Furthermore, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act imposes strict rules on lobbyists, including gift giving and 'cooling off' periods for former lawmakers.
Lobbyists are regulated in several ways, including prohibitions on certain activities, required disclosure of contributions, and implementing revolving door laws. These measures are to prevent vote buying, reduce the influence of money in politics, and maintain a level of integrity within the legislature. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as the McCain-Feingold Act, sought to further reduce the impact of 'soft money' in elections.
Thus, the correct answer is B) Ethics Commission, as they are typically responsible for regulating ethics within state government, whereas the FEC oversees federal matters. It should be noted that each state has its own commission or similar body, which may have a different name, but for the purposes of this question, the answer is implied to be referring to such a body. In the absence of more context within the question, the FEC's role at the federal level aligns closest with these oversight and regulatory activities.