Supreme Court invalidates federal limits on party spending

The Supreme Court ruled on June 30, 2026, to strike down federal limits on the amount political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. This 6-3 decision, led by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, determined that such expenditure limits violate the First Amendment. The ruling overturns a precedent established 25 years ago that upheld these limits. With the caps removed, party committees can now spend without restrictions alongside their candidates, potentially increasing their influence in campaign financing. Supporters of the decision argue that it allows for more effective coordination between parties and candidates, while critics express concerns that it may lead to increased corruption and the circumvention of existing anti-corruption measures. The case, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, was initiated by Republican committees who claimed the limits hindered their ability to coordinate political speech effectively.