U.S. Supreme Court strikes down overall federal political contribution limits
The Supreme Court has struck down a decades-old cap on
the total amount any individual can contribute to federal candidates in a
two-year election cycle. The 5-to-4 decision echoed Citizens United, the 2010
decision that struck down limits on independent campaign spending by
corporations and unions.
The ruling concerned only contributions from
individuals. Federal law continues to ban direct contributions by corporations
and unions, though they remain free to spend unlimited sums through "super
PACs" and similar vehicles. The ruling does not impact state imposed
contribution limits.