The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 2, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court decided in Buckley vs. Valeo and Citizens United that unlimited money spent for campaigns equaled free speech, and enabled the rise of Super PACs. But it kept limits on certain types of spending by political parties. A case by Republicans heard in the high court this fall tests those limits.
While national political parties can make unlimited donations to a federal candidate, they are limited in what’s called “coordinated spending” with the candidate. Such spending might include renting venues, sending mail or most importantly, advertising.
In 2025, those Federal Election Commission limits were up to $127,000 for U.S. House candidates, and up to $4 million dollars for U.S. Senate candidates, calculated by voting age population. The GOP has long chafed at those limits, set in 1971’s Federal Election Campaign Act.
Citizens United and subsequent cases drove corporations and special interest donors to contribute their billions to super PACs, with which candidates theoretically can’t coordinate. Elon Musk alone contributed $239 million to his America PAC in 2024.
The Roberts court has a track record of money-as-free speech decisions. Whether this merely shifts billions from super PACs to the national parties, or opens up yet another floodgate of special interest influence is yet to be seen. The case is expected to be heard next term.
We have more details in the case at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – (2019) Citizens United Explained
Federal Election Commission – Coordinated party expenditure limits
Code of Federal Regulations – § 110.3 Contribution limitations for affiliated committees and political party committees; transfers (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(4), 30116(a)(5)).
U.S. Supreme Court – National Republican Senatorial Committee, et al., Petitioners v. Federal Election Commission, et al.
CNN – Supreme Court agrees to hear Republican-backed effort to lift caps on campaign spending
Campaigns & Elections – Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case on Coordinated Spending
The New Republic – Supreme Court Takes Up Case That Could Change Elections as We Know It
Groups Taking Action:
End Citizens United, American Promise, Represent.Us
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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