Citizens United
Citizens United v FederaL Election Commission
U.S. Supreme Court, January 2010
U.S. Supreme Court, January 2010
What is Citizens United?
During the 2008 election, a conservative non-profit organization named "Citizens United" produced a documentary critical of Sen. Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate. Because of the political nature of the movie it was deemed an "electioneering communication" by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and was therefore subject to the rules governing the production of political ads. Citizens United sued in federal court to overturn the decision, lost and appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held two hearings on the case and its ruling ultimately went far beyond what the plaintiffs had sought. The 5-4 decision permits corporations, unions and other special interests to spend as much as they like to advocate the election or defeat of political candidates. Laws that bar those interests from contributing directly to candidates remain in place (for now) but the ruling lifted controls on political giving that had been in place for decades.
Since the Supreme Court ruled that any limitation on corporate contributions – which were in place since 1907 when Congress passed the Tillman Act – are unconstitutional, corporations and unions have begun to crowd out the general public and are becoming the principal source of money for any candidate who hopes to win a seat in Congress. (excerpt Common Cause)
During the 2008 election, a conservative non-profit organization named "Citizens United" produced a documentary critical of Sen. Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate. Because of the political nature of the movie it was deemed an "electioneering communication" by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and was therefore subject to the rules governing the production of political ads. Citizens United sued in federal court to overturn the decision, lost and appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held two hearings on the case and its ruling ultimately went far beyond what the plaintiffs had sought. The 5-4 decision permits corporations, unions and other special interests to spend as much as they like to advocate the election or defeat of political candidates. Laws that bar those interests from contributing directly to candidates remain in place (for now) but the ruling lifted controls on political giving that had been in place for decades.
Since the Supreme Court ruled that any limitation on corporate contributions – which were in place since 1907 when Congress passed the Tillman Act – are unconstitutional, corporations and unions have begun to crowd out the general public and are becoming the principal source of money for any candidate who hopes to win a seat in Congress. (excerpt Common Cause)
Citizens United Decision is Effecting many aspects of our Lives
Citizens United - the case
- The case facts and legal issues synopsis- (RECOMMENDED) Read and listen to Oral Arguments, and Opinion Announcement
- Case synopsis, with opinions and discussion
Citizens United - general
Citizens United - editorial by Rachel Maddow, Jan. 2010
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Citizens United and business
Citizens United - outreach flyers
New and Upcoming Disasters similar to Citizens United
Citizens United II: McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, a case challenging the federal law that limits donor contributions
Citizens United and Government