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Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Millionaire's Amendment

Posted On January 11, 2008

The Supreme Court announced today that it will hear a challenge to the so-called "Millionaire's Amendment" provisions of federal campaign finance law.

The provisions, which increase contribution limits by at least 300 percent for candidates facing a self-financed opponent, are being challenged by Jack Davis, a former Democratic congressional candidate in New York's 26th district.

In court filings, Davis argues that the Millionaire's Amendment does not limit "the corrupting influence of campaign contributors" and instead, "serves to protect well-financed incumbents who wrote the statute."

"This case exposes and undermines the ‘corruption rationale' used to justify most campaign finance laws," says Bradley A. Smith, chairman of the Center for Competitive Politics, which will file an amicus brief in the case. 

Mixed FEC Decision on Request to Ease Fundraising Restrictions on Union and Corporate PACs

Posted On December 14, 2007

 Alexandria, VA. -  The Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued an advisory opinion today that eases some restrictions, but keeps intact other restrictions, on the ability of union and corporate political action committees (PACs) to raise money.

The FEC ruled that ActBlue, an organization that makes it easier for citizens to contribute to political campaigns, may coordinate with the "Separate Segregated Funds" (SSF) of corporations, labor unions, and other membership organizations to solicit contributions from within the SSF's "restricted class." 

ActBlue had also requested permission to independently solicit the general public for earmarked contributions to SSFs from outside the "restricted class."  The FEC ruled that request was "not permissible."  

Federal Election Commission Agrees to Decide Rights of Independent Speech Groups

Posted On November 29, 2007

The Federal Election Commission yesterday agreed to decide whether a new independent speech group may advocate for or against candidates free of contribution limits imposed on political committees under federal law.  The Commission has 60 days to issue an "advisory opinion" responding to a request from SpeechNow.org and its lawyers with the Center for Competitive Politics and the Institute for Justice.

SpeechNow.org is a nonpartisan independent speech group that supports free speech and associational rights.  It plans to speak out in support of candidates who favor free political speech and oppose those who back so-called campaign finance "reform" legislation that restricts the rights to speech and association.

Predictable Results in NJ “Clean Elections” Experiment

Posted On November 7, 2007

New Jersey's "clean elections" pilot program concluded yesterday with predictable results - massive amounts of government funds spent and elections that were not competitive.

Center for Competitive Politics Files Comments Supporting ActBlue’s Campaign Finance Innovation

Posted On November 5, 2007

The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) filed comments with the FEC today supporting ActBlue's Advisory Opinion Request (AOR 2007-27), which focuses on the ability of union and corporate PACs to raise money.

Schumer, Specter Push to Dismantle First Amendment

Posted On October 10, 2007

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) have taken the first steps in an effort to dismantle the First Amendment.

The Senators recently sent their colleagues a letter seeking co-sponsors for a bill that would alter the First Amendment in order to allow for restrictions on campaign spending.

Court ruling means no FEC rulemaking process on “527” organizations

Posted On August 30, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA - Today, the United States Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgment to the Federal Election Commission in the campaign finance case Rep. Christopher Shays, et al v. FEC.  The ruling means that the FEC does not have to institute rulemaking to regulate 527 groups.  Instead, the FEC can continue with case-by-case review of 527 organizations.

“Voter-Owned” Elections Pilot Won’t Fly

Posted On August 2, 2007

Press release on North Carolina's government-financed elections pilot project

Campaign finance expert to testify to New York State Senate Elections Committee

Posted On July 25, 2007

Recently, leaders in New York announced an agreement to overhaul the state's campaign finance regulations.   As part of the process, the New York State Senate Elections Committee is hosting roundtable discussions with campaign finance experts to discuss the issue.   On Friday, the Center for Competitive Politics Vice President Stephen Hoersting will testify to the committee about campaign finance regulation.

Political Regulation will hurt New York

Posted On July 19, 2007

Today, Sean Parnell, the president of the Center for Competitive Politics (CCP), a pro-First Amendment reform organization, issued the following statement in response to the reported deal on campaign finance regulation agreed to by political leaders in Albany:

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