Big Post-Citizens United Decision
In today's decision in Speechnow.org, et al., v. FEC, the D.C. Circuit Court issued an opinion striking down a ceiling on contributions to independent political groups. Speechnow.org was seeking to overturn the FEC's treatment of their organization, an unincorporated 527 independent expenditure group, as a PAC. This treatment forced Speechnow.org to comply with contribution limits (notably the $5,000 per election individual limit on PAC contributions), significant reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and general FEC oversight. (It is relevant to note that Speechnow.org does not accept corporate contributions.) Please click here for the opinion and here for more from Scotusblog. This is the first major ruling on campaign finance issues since January's monumental Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC.