Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

Supreme Court Rules Against Campaign Finance Reform

Posted by Stephanie Taylor on June 26, 2007 at 10:05 AM

The Supreme Court ruled against one of the provisions in the 2002 campaign finance reform act yesterday, in another narrow 5-4 ruling.

The provision had banned corporations from paying for political "issue ads" that mentioned a candidate for federal office within 60 days of a federal election and 30 days of a primary or caucus.

[T]he court eased legal barriers aimed at corporate- and union-financed television ads, a decision whose tone suggests greater hostility on the court to federal limitations on money in politics.

The decision upheld an appeals court ruling that a Wisconsin anti-abortion group should have been allowed to air ads during the final two months before the 2004 elections. The law unreasonably limits speech and violates the group's First Amendment rights, the court said.

The ruling is expected to open the door to more challenges against restrictions on "soft money" in politics. Speaking of soft money--Fred Thompson and Philip Morris. Read all about it.

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