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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…

Advocacy Groups Strategize to Deny Free Speech to Other Advocacy Groups in Leaked Memo
February 2, 2017   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

At the end of January, The Washington Free Beacon reported on a “private and confidential” memo obtained at a retreat hosted by progressive activist ...

Comments to FEC Regarding Notice 2016-10: Rulemaking Petition: Implementing the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
January 30, 2017   •  By Allen Dickerson   •  , ,

The Center generally urges the Commission to enact the Petition’s suggested amendments. In implementing the Appropriations Act, however, the Commission’s regulations should carefully conform ...

Good Signs for First Amendment in Judge William Pryor’s Rulings on Tax-Financing, Political Sign Cases
January 18, 2017   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Hon. William Pryor United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2004-Present) Using our screen to find cases, Judge Pryor wrote or joined ...

Campaign Finance Takeaways from the 2016 Election
January 18, 2017   •  By Luke Wachob   •  , ,

2016 was a surprising year in politics. One surprise that hasn’t received much attention yet is the minimal role played by “money in politics” ...

Constitutional and Practical Issues with Arkansas House Bill 1005
January 18, 2017   •  By Matt Nese   •  , , ,

On behalf of the Center for Competitive Politics, we are writing you today to respectfully submit the following comments regarding the constitutional and practical ...

Judge Thomas Hardiman Applied Careful Scrutiny and Invalidated PAC Ban, but Passed on Opportunity to Correct DSF Panel Ruling
January 17, 2017   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Hon. Thomas Hardiman United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2007-Present); United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (2003-2007) ...

Judge Raymond Gruender Supports Nonprofit Speech Rights in Key Minnesota Case
January 17, 2017   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Hon. Raymond Gruender United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (June 5, 2004-Present) Summary We found five cases where Judge Raymond Gruender ...

There’s no reason to be afraid of ‘dark money’ in politics
January 13, 2017   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

Before progressives began to obsess over “fake news,” they were convinced that the greatest threat to our democracy was the scourge of “dark money.” ...

Judge Charles Canady in Congress: A Strong but Mixed Pro-Free Speech Record
January 10, 2017   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Hon. Charles Canady Florida Supreme Court (2008-Present, 2010-2012 as Chief Justice); Florida Second District Court of Appeal (2002-2008); United States House of Representatives (1993-2001) ...

“Drain the Swamp” Means Different Things for Trump Supporters and Speech Regulation Supporters
December 6, 2016   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

As the Trump Administration begins to take shape, the media and pro-regulation voices have honed in on the President-elect’s prospective cabinet and its fidelity ...

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