<u>SpeechNow</u> decision lessens imbalance between wealthy interests and small donors Commentary
SpeechNow decision lessens imbalance between wealthy interests and small donors
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Stephen M. Hoersting [Vice President, Center for Competitive Politics]: "In SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission, a unanimous federal court struck down FEC regulations that limited the ability of citizens to join together and speak about politics and candidates.

Extending the rationale of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the government cannot limit contributions to independent expenditure committees – groups of citizens who raise and spend money to advocate for or against candidates.

In Citizens United, the Supreme Court ruled that independent spending by unions and companies could not corrupt candidates and that such speech was a core component of our republic – afforded the strongest First Amendment protections. Before Citizens United and SpeechNow.org, mainly wealthy interests – large companies with PACs, national unions and billionaires like George Soros and Mike Bloomberg – could speak out about candidates and politics. SpeechNow.org means that now donors of all sizes can pool their resources to more effectively communicate a message about politics and candidates.

Unfortunately, the court ruled against SpeechNow.org's contention that political committee status regulation by the FEC places restrictive burdens on grassroots political groups. The court's decision means that FEC regulations will continue to favor large, established special interests over ad hoc groups of like-minded citizens. SpeechNow.org is weighing whether to appeal that issue to the Supreme Court."

Hoersting is Vice President of the Center for Competitive Politics. The Institute for Justice and the Center represent SpeechNow.org.

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