Institute For Free Speech

Contribution Limits: Caps on First Amendment Activity
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

Contribution limits are monetary restrictions on the amount an individual or group can donate to a political actor – usually a candidate, political party, or political action committee. The Supreme Court first allowed limits on contributions in Buckley v. Valeo. The Court’s ruling acknowledged that contribution limits were a restriction on First Amendment activity, but allowed them on the theory…

Reflecting on 50 Years of Buckley v. Valeo
March 1, 2026   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

Expert essays from leading First Amendment scholars and advocates, a virtual panel discussion, and podcast episodes exploring the landmark ruling that defined political speech ...

Free Speech Arguments – Buckley v. Valeo Expert Panel Discussion
February 26, 2026   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

January 30, 2026, marked the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Buckley v. Valeo. To commemorate the anniversary, the Institute for Free Speech convened a panel to reflect on the ...

The 1976 Supreme Court Decision That Saved Democracy
February 7, 2026   •  By Brad Smith   •  , , ,

Before Buckley v. Valeo, American citizens faced criminal charges for urging Nixon’s impeachment.

To Buckley v. Valeo: The Decision that Saved Democracy
January 30, 2026   •  By Brad Smith   •  , , ,

The Court's defense of political speech remains essential to American democracy five decades later.

Effective Advocacy
January 29, 2026   •  By Allen Dickerson   •  , , ,

The landmark decision recognized that effective political speech requires the ability to pool resources and communicate at scale.

James L. Buckley: The Man and His Principles
January 28, 2026   •  By Roger Pilon   •  , , ,

A friend profiles Buckley himself, a public servant who spent his life defending constitutional first principles.

Celebrating Buckley v. Valeo: A Landmark of Political Freedom
January 27, 2026   •  By Joel Gora   •  , , ,

An original Buckley litigator shares the inside story of one of America’s most important political speech victories.

Express Advocacy at 50
January 26, 2026   •  By Allison Hayward   •  , , ,

Do you believe in magic words?

Life without Buckley v. Valeo
January 26, 2026   •  By John Samples   •  , , ,

How the decision did and did not change the world.

Buckley and the Appearance of Corruption Standard
January 23, 2026   •  By David Primo   •  , , ,

What social science can tell us.

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