The SpeechNow ruling expanded political speech and reshaped elections.
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SuperPACsusheredinaneweraofspeechfreedomsandimprovedAmericandemocracymorethanIimagined.AndIshouldknow—fifteenyearsago,Icreatedthefirstone.
OnMarch26,2010,theDistrictofColumbiaCircuitCourtofAppealsdecidedSpeechNow.orgv.FederalElectionCommission(FEC),unanimouslystrikingdownaprovisionoftheFederalElectionCampaignActthatcappedindividualcontributionstoindependentexpenditure-onlycommitteesat$5,000.
I’mproudtohavebeentheleadplaintiffinthatcase.WhileCitizensUnitedv.FECisawatershedpoliticalspeechcaseinitsownright,commentatorsoftenincorrectlygiveitcredit—orblame—forSuperPACs.TheanniversaryofSpeechNowseemsanappropriatetimetosetthatrecordstraight.
CitizensUnitedestablishedthatcorporationsandunionscouldmakeindependentexpendituresinpoliticalcampaigns.However,SpeechNowrecognizedindividuals’FirstAmendmentrighttopooltheirresourcesforindependentpoliticalspeech.
WhyisSpeechNowstillsoimportant15yearslater?SuperPACshavefu
