Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Facts

Citizens United is a non-profit corporation that collects about 12 million dollars a year in donations mostly from average citizens, but also some times from for-profit corporations. During the time Senator Hillary Clinton was running for office Citizens United made a movie called Hillary which was mostly negative things about Clinton. Citizens United ran advertisement for their movie on television. In Section 411b it makes it a felony for any corporation to run advertisement within 30 days of a primary, and 60 days within a general election.

Issue

Is the BCRA section 441b unconstitutional as applied?

Holding

Yes.

Rationale

Government may not suppress political speech based on corporate identity. There is no governmental interest in suppressing this speech.

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