Democracy 21 plays a leading role in defending the constitutionality of the nation’s campaign finance laws and their proper interpretation in the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
In 2010 and 2011, the Democracy 21 pro bono team represented parties in winning two important campaign finance cases in the Supreme Court, successfully defending the constitutionality of legislation banning unlimited “soft money” contributions to political parties and the Connecticut public financing law.
Democracy 21 has also pursued creative legal and administrative approaches in the courts and at the IRS to end the use of secret money to finance campaign expenditures in federal elections and to prevent misuse of the tax laws by groups improperly claiming to be “social welfare” organizations.
The Hill Lobbyists fear shakedown if Supreme Court lifts campaign contributions cap By Kevin Bogardus– Lobbyists who are active on Washington’s fundraising circuit fear a shakedown is coming if the Supreme Court lifts the cap on contributions to lawmakers and party committees. The high court last week decided to hear a challenge to the aggregate …
Read More →The Los Angeles Times Campaign donations on trial The Supreme Court’s decision to consider ending ‘aggregate’ limits on political contributions is ominous. By: Editorial Board– The Supreme Court long ago established that Americans have a 1st Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts on behalf of a political candidate as long as the money is spent …
Read More →The Washington Post McCutcheon case could give Citizens United a run for its money in Supreme Court By T.W. Farnam– McCutcheon could be the new Citizens United.The Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday to hear a campaign finance case, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, in its next term gives the justices a chance to continue their dismantling …
Read More →The Los Angeles Times Justices to hear appeal of individual donation limits An Alabama donor and Republicans deem the limit of $123,200 per election cycle too low. Critics are troubled by the bid to further erode campaign finance laws. Fred Wertheimer of the campaign finance advocacy group Democracy 21 says striking down the total limits …
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