Question

The Supreme Court upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in the case _____ and then, less than a decade later, reversed that precedent in the case _____.

a) Citizens United v. FEC; McConnell v. FEC
b) Buckley v. Valeo; Citizens United v. FEC
c) McConnell v. FEC; Citizens United v. FEC
d) Citizens United v. FEC; Buckley v. Valeo

Answer 1

The Supreme Court first upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in McConnell v. FEC, but later reversed its decision in Citizens United v. FEC, removing spending limits on corporations and framing political spending as a form of free speech.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Supreme Court upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in the case McConnell v. Federal Election Commission (2003), and then, less than a decade later, reversed that precedent in the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010). Initially, the Act's restrictions on campaign contributions and expenditures were endorsed as compliant with federal law. However, the subsequent ruling in Citizens United nullified some of these restrictions, notably lifting spending limits on corporations and allowing for a substantial increase in political spending. It was argued that corporate spending is protected under the concept of free speech.