Supreme Court Lifts Spending Limits on Political Parties and Candidates, Opening Floodgates for Unrestricted Donations
The US Supreme Court has lifted limits on how much political parties can spend on advertising and other expenses in coordination with candidates. The 6-to-3 decision is a significant victory for Republicans and may undermine a key financial advantage of the Democrats ahead of the midterms.
The court was asked to consider whether federal limits on coordinated party expenditures violate the First Amendment. The National Republican Senatorial Committee had challenged the limits, arguing they restrict political speech. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, agreed that previous campaign finance precedents required the court to strike down the law establishing these limits.
According to Justice Kavanaugh, the decision treats all political parties equally, allowing them to compete under the same rules regarding coordinated expenditures. However, in a dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan warned that the ruling could lead to corruption, enabling donors to bypass contribution caps to candidates by using parties as a conduit.
The court was asked to consider whether federal limits on coordinated party expenditures violate the First Amendment. The National Republican Senatorial Committee had challenged the limits, arguing they restrict political speech. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, agreed that previous campaign finance precedents required the court to strike down the law establishing these limits.
According to Justice Kavanaugh, the decision treats all political parties equally, allowing them to compete under the same rules regarding coordinated expenditures. However, in a dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan warned that the ruling could lead to corruption, enabling donors to bypass contribution caps to candidates by using parties as a conduit.
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