Today the Supreme Court issued a significant ruling that guarantees citizens their right to make political contributions to as many candidates for federal office or national parties as they are able. Until today, the maximum amount that an individual could contribute to a candidate for federal office was $2,600 per two-year federal election cycle. Donors were also limited to contributing that maximum to no more than nine candidates per two-year federal election cycle.
The Republican National Committee and Alabama’s own Shaun McCutcheon challenged the FEC on the aggregate limits for donors to candidates and party committees. McCutcheon is a businessman in the Birmingham area and is owner of Coalmont, an electrical engineering company. He has been a donor to the Alabama Republican Party and its candidates for the last four years. Shaun is also very supportive of Republican candidates around the nation who he believes are true conservatives and public servants. McCutcheon believed that his basic right to contribute to whomever he wanted was being violated by the FEC’s aggregate limits.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead made the following statement today:
“The Alabama Republican Party is so thankful and proud to have Republicans like Shaun McCutcheon fighting to protect our First Amendment rights! This decision will have a massive impact on this year’s elections; donors will no longer be forced to pick between the candidates and committees they want to support. It does not permit any more money to be given to an individual candidate or party. It only respects the Constitutional right of individuals to decide how many candidates to support.
“Shaun’s dedication to his beliefs and determination was key to this momentous ruling; this is a tremendous win for the First Amendment! I am thankful that the Republican National Committee joined with Shaun in this lawsuit to untie the hands of donors who have the ability to give to multiple candidates.”
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus had the following statement concerning the ruling:
“Today’s Court decision in McCutcheon v FEC is an important first step toward restoring the voice of candidates and party committees and a vindication for all those who support robust, transparent political discourse. I am proud that the RNC led the way in bringing this case and pleased that the Court agreed that limits on how many candidates or committees a person may support unconstitutionally burden core First Amendment political activities. When free speech is allowed to flourish, our democracy is stronger. ”
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