Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Elections Commission to eliminate the two-year aggregate contribution limits to campaign donations.  The ruling lifts the ban and allows persons to give unlimited cash to as many candidates, parties and political action groups (PAC) as they please. 

Rep. Frankel said, “This ruling is Citizens United on steroids and strikes another blow at campaign finance reform.  It gives an unfair advantage to the wealthiest Americans to influence elections.  Freedom of Speech should not be just for billionaires.”

Congresswoman Frankel is a co-sponsor of H.J. Res 34, which would restore the limits struck in both this case – McCutcheon v. FEC (Federal Elections Commission) – and in the Citizens United case.  In the 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC, United States Supreme Court held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions.

Under current law, the FEC prohibits any individual from giving more than $2,600 to any candidate, $32,400 to any national party, and $5,000 to any PAC in one calendar year (for candidates, per cycle). In addition, FEC rules also prohibit any one individual from contributing more than $123,200 in total funds to all entities (including candidates) in one two-year period. In light of today’s ruling, this aggregate limit is gone.

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