Ruling allows advocacy organizations to spend money endorsing or opposing candidates in the days preceding an election.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that corporations may use money from general funds for campaign ads.
For the past two decades under federal laws like the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, right-to-life organizations, pro-marriage groups and even unions and corporations were prohibited from airing political ads mentioning candidates within 60 days of an election.
James Bopp, an attorney with Bopp, Coleson and Bostrom, said the ruling is a First Amendment victory.
"(People) are not going to be discriminated against when they come together in a group to advocate their issues," he said. "Rather than having to form shadowy groups in order to do this sort of activity, they can just forthrightly do it themselves."
The justices voted 5-4 to overturn some of the restrictions. In his opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy explained that the laws placed an undue burden on those taking part in the political process.
"The First Amendment does not permit laws that force speakers to retain a campaign finance attorney, conduct demographic marketing research, or seek declaratory rulings," he said, "before discussing the most salient political issues of our day."
The decision does not affect the ban on direct contributions to candidates by corporations and unions.
Tim Goeglein, vice president of external relations for Focus on the Family Action, said the pro-family movement will benefit.
"Organizations like Focus on the Family Action, the family policy councils, all of our allies," he said, "this will give us an incredible voice in the great issues of our time."
Contact: Steve Jordahl
Source: CitizenLink
Publish Date: January 21, 2010
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