U.S. Campaign Finance Laws and Supreme Court Cases: Buckley v. Valeo, Citizens United, and More

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

The Supreme Court ruled that a candidate can spend unlimited personal funds on their own campaign (protected as free speech), but limits on contributions from others are constitutional.

McCain-Feingold Act (2002)

Also called the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), it banned soft money contributions to political parties and restricted corporate and union spending on electioneering communications close to elections.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

The Court ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on independent political expenditures, reinforcing that spending money is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

An independent U.S. government agency established in 1934 to regulate interstate and international communications via radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

Fairness Doctrine

A policy requiring broadcasters to present controversial issues in a balanced and fair manner. Implemented by the FCC, it was eliminated in 1987.

Ross Perot (1992)

As an independent candidate, Perot gained substantial media attention and a significant share of the popular vote, highlighting the potential influence of third-party campaigns.

Equal Time Rule

Require equal airtime on non-news programming to all candidates running for an office.

Telecommunications Act of 1996

Relaxed limits on media ownership, including cross-media ownership