The U.S. Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, is poised to potentially dismantle another cornerstone of campaign finance law in a case argued this week, *National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission*. The challenge, brought by Vice President JD Vance (as a Senate candidate) and Republican Party committees, targets long-standing federal limits on how much money political parties can spend in direct coordination with their candidates. This case represents the latest in a decades-long trend where the Court has consistently struck down campaign finance regulations, from the landmark *Citizens United* decision in 2010 to a 2022 ruling favoring Senator Ted Cruz, all on the grounds that such limits violate the First Amendment’s protection of political speech.
At issue are specific provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, which restrict coordinated party expenditures—spending by a political party that is planned alongside a candidate’s campaign—to prevent wealthy donors from using parties as conduits to bypass individual contribution limits. Proponents of the limits, like the Campaign Legal Center, argue they are essential to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption, which the Court has previously recognized as the only legitimate government interest for such regulations. However, the Republican plaintiffs contend the restrictions unconstitutionally hinder a political party’s ability to fully support its own nominees, with their lawyers arguing it is illogical to suggest a party could corrupt its own candidate.
The outcome of this case could significantly reshape the political fundraising landscape by allowing political parties to spend unlimited sums in direct collaboration with their candidates, potentially increasing the influence of major donors. While a court-appointed lawyer is defending the law, noting the historical evidence of parties being used to circumvent donation limits, legal observers suggest the Court’s conservative majority is likely to side with the challengers, continuing its pattern of elevating free speech arguments over regulatory concerns. A ruling is expected by the end of June.
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Forrás: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/jd-vance-case-us-supreme-110119749.html.