Default Article

Political Spending: Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Democracy

January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The First Amendment guarantees every American freedom of speech. That freedom includes the right to spend money on speech. Without money, a political group cannot buy ads, print fliers, organize protests, or hire staff. Short of shouting one’s opinions on a street corner, it takes money to spread a message. Recognizing this relationship, the Supreme Court has long prohibited the…

Institute for Free Speech Urges Sixth Circuit to Revisit “Precedent-Setting Error” That Undermines Citizens United

April 24, 2025   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , , ,

Its amicus brief argues the ruling provides governments a “roadmap to maneuver around the First Amendment”

Boone County Republican Party Executive Committee v. Wallace

April 24, 2025   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

The Institute’s amicus brief emphasizes how the panel’s decision threatens the First Amendment rights of not just political parties in Kentucky, but all kinds ...

Comments to New York City Campaign Finance Board on Proposed Rules

October 25, 2024   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

On October 25, 2024, the Institute for Free Speech wrote comments to the New York City Campaign Finance Board expressing concern for the proposed ...

Free Speech Arguments – Can States Ban Political Spending by U.S. Companies with Minor Foreign Ownership? (Central Maine Power Company)

October 9, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

Central Maine Power Company, et al. v. Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, et al., argued before the First Circuit on October ...

Analysis of Sixth Circuit’s NRSC v. FEC Decision

September 9, 2024   •  By Brett Nolan   •  , , ,

The case known as National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission (NRSC v. FEC) is about the federal limit on “coordinated party expenditures.”

Biden’s Exit Exposed the Chaotic Maze of Campaign Finance Law

August 12, 2024   •  By David Keating   •  ,

A $92 million war chest and unclear regulations highlight the need for reform to protect political speech.

Central Maine Power Company, et al. v. Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, et al.

July 31, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

The Institute’s brief explains that the law violates the First Amendment by banning political speech from American companies mislabeled as "foreign-government influenced"

Institute for Free Speech Urges First Circuit to Uphold Injunction Against Maine’s Corporate Speech Ban

July 31, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

The Institute’s brief explains that the law violates the First Amendment by banning political speech from American companies mislabeled as "foreign-government influenced"

Legal or not, Harris is seizing Biden’s campaign cash

July 31, 2024   •  By Brad Smith   •  ,

President Biden’s sudden and unprecedented withdrawal with just a few months remaining in the 2024 presidential race raises a host of issues. One key question is how ...

Comments to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices

June 20, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

On June 18, 2024, the Institute for Free Speech provided comments to the Executive Director of  the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election ...

Load more