Story perspectives

SCOTUS 6-3 Overturns Coordinated Spending Caps, Kavanaugh Writes Opinion

7/1/2026

Center

Kavanaugh Overturns Spending Caps

Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the opinion overturning a 2001 Supreme Court decision that upheld coordinated-expenditure caps.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, struck down limits on coordinated spending by national party committees and candidates.
Republican national committees reported $256 million cash on hand and no debt.
The Court appointed Roman Martinez to defend the spending limits for the Federal Election Commission.

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Supreme Court Dismantles

Republican committees hold about $125.5 million cash, dwarfing the Democratic National Committee’s $14.9 million and widening the gap before 2026 midterms.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to strike down coordinated-expenditure caps, permitting party committees to pool donor money with candidates.
Justice Elena Kagan warned the ruling dismantles campaign-finance reforms and weakens safeguards against political corruption.
Democratic officials said the decision benefits wealthy donors and could let parties buy cheaper ads.

History

Historical Context

In 2010 the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Citizens United decision, authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, struck limits on corporate independent expenditures, prompting the D.C. Circuit’s SpeechNow ruling and the rise of super PACs. Independent spending surged to $4.2 billion by 2024, and the Court’s new 6-3 ruling overturning coordinated-expenditure caps echoes that precedent.

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Kavanaugh Overturns Spending Caps

Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the opinion overturning a 2001 Supreme Court decision that upheld coordinated-expenditure caps.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, struck down limits on coordinated spending by national party committees and candidates.
Republican national committees reported $256 million cash on hand and no debt.
The Court appointed Roman Martinez to defend the spending limits for the Federal Election Commission.

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