Federal Election Commission v. National Conservative Political Action Committee (1984)
- Docket
- 83-1032
- Decided
- 1984-01-01
Summary
Question: Did the law violate the NCPAC's First Amendment rights of free speech and association? Conclusion: Yes. The Court held that the expenditures prohibited by the Federal Election Campaign Act were "at the core of the First Amendment" and could not be restricted by the government. The Court rejected the notion that the PACs' form of organization diminished their entitlement to First Amendment protection. The Court drew a distinction between contributions to candidates-- which were open to corruption--and contributions to independent organizations in support of candidates.