Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

The First Amendment is arguably the most controversial issue with regards to the constitution since it was ratified in 1787. Under the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” However, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) directly contradicts the First Amendment by regulating the financing and advertising of Political campaigns. The two features of BCRA are the restriction of soft money and issue advocacy. First, this act bans the raising of soft money by federal candidates or national parties and restricts the spending of soft money by state parties. Second, this act created a new election law, electioneering communication, which prohibits the use of political advertisements that “refers” to a federal candidate within thirty days of a primary election or sixty days of a general elections. The First Amendment is arguably the most controversial issue with regards to the constitution since it was ratified in 1787. Under the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” However, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) directly contradicts the First Amendment by regulating the financing and advertising of Political campaigns. The two features of BCRA are the restriction of soft money and issue advocacy. First, this act bans the raising of soft money by federal candidates or national parties and restricts the spending of soft money by state parties. Second, this act created a new election law, electioneering communication, which prohibits the use of political advertisements