Mccutcheon v. F.E.C.

134 S.Ct. 1434 (2014)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

In the 2011-2012 election cycle, P contributed a total of $33,088 to 16 different federal candidates, in compliance with the base limits applicable to each. P wished to contribute $1,776 to each of 12 additional candidates but was prevented from doing so by the aggregate limit on contributions to candidates. P also contributed a total of $27,328 to several noncandidate political committees, in compliance with the base limits applicable to each. He alleges that he wished to contribute to various other political committees, including $25,000 to each of the three Republican national party committees, but was prevented from doing so by the aggregate limit on contributions to political committees. P and the Republican National Committee (RNC) filed a complaint before a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Ps asserted that the aggregate limits on contributions to candidates and noncandidate political committees were unconstitutional under the First Amendment. They moved for a preliminary injunction. The Court denied the motion for a preliminary injunction and granted D’s motion to dismiss. The District Court concluded that the aggregate limits survived First Amendment scrutiny because they prevented evasion of the base limits. Ps appealed directly to the Supreme Court.