Overview
- Republican committees, joined by Vice President JD Vance and former Rep. Steve Chabot, asked the Court to strike down federal caps on party spending coordinated with candidates as a First Amendment violation.
- The Trump administration declined to defend the law and the FEC has signaled nonenforcement, prompting the Court to appoint Roman Martinez to argue for the limits and to allow Democratic committees to intervene.
- Chief Justice John Roberts questioned whether coordinated expenditures differ in substance from direct contributions, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh voiced concern that past rulings may have weakened parties relative to outside groups.
- Liberal justices stressed corruption risks and practical fallout, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor warning that scrapping coordinated caps could leave “no control whatsoever” over money flowing to candidates.
- Several justices explored mootness and standing given the government’s position, as advocates noted that a ruling expected by June 2026 could reshape 2026 midterm fundraising by enabling larger donor funds to flow through parties and potentially secure lower ad rates for coordinated spending.