What Would Happen if the Supreme Court Struck Down Overall Limits on Contributions?

The fact sheet shows why the overall contribution limits are essential to protecting our democracy against corruption. For almost four decades, the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that federal contributions can be constitutionally limited to protect against corruption and the appearance of corruption.

The McCutcheon case is scheduled for oral argument in the Supreme Court on October 8, 2013.

The fact sheet is part of a series of articles and background memorandum that Democracy 21 is issuing on the McCutcheon case, brought by Shaun McCutcheon, an Alabama Republican activist, and the Republican National Committee to challenge the constitutionality of the federal overall contribution limits.

On September 12, 2013, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer published an op-ed article in POLITICO on the McCutcheon case entitled, “The Supreme Court’s democracy test.” On September 20, 2013, Democracy 21 released a Q and A on the issues in the McCutcheon case.