Overview
- The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision on June 30, 2026, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing the majority opinion that found FECA’s coordinated-expenditure limits violate the First Amendment.
- The challenge was brought by Republican committees and candidates including Vice President J.D. Vance and former Rep. Steve Chabot, and the Court overruled its 2001 precedent that had upheld the caps.
- The Trump Justice Department and the FEC declined to defend the law, so the Court appointed Roman Martinez to argue for the limits during the appeal.
- Political strategists say parties can now coordinate directly with campaigns and buy ads at candidate rates, a change that could take immediate effect this fall because Republican committees reported far more cash on hand than Democrats.
- Liberal justices warned the ruling risks enabling donors to skirt candidate contribution limits and increase quid pro quo corruption, and analysts say Congress or regulators may still try to respond though the shape and timing of any fixes are uncertain.