Institute For Free Speech
Default Article

Political Spending: Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Democracy
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The First Amendment guarantees every American freedom of speech. That freedom includes the right to spend money on speech. Without money, a political group cannot buy ads, print fliers, organize protests, or hire staff. Short of shouting one’s opinions on a street corner, it takes money to spread a message. Recognizing this relationship, the Supreme Court has long prohibited the…

Analysis of Sixth Circuit’s NRSC v. FEC Decision
September 9, 2024   •  By Brett Nolan   •  , , ,

The case known as National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission (NRSC v. FEC) is about the federal limit on “coordinated party expenditures.”

Biden’s Exit Exposed the Chaotic Maze of Campaign Finance Law
August 12, 2024   •  By David Keating   •  ,

A $92 million war chest and unclear regulations highlight the need for reform to protect political speech.

Central Maine Power Company, et al. v. Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, et al.
July 31, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

The Institute’s brief explains that the law violates the First Amendment by banning political speech from American companies mislabeled as "foreign-government influenced"

Institute for Free Speech Urges First Circuit to Uphold Injunction Against Maine’s Corporate Speech Ban
July 31, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

The Institute’s brief explains that the law violates the First Amendment by banning political speech from American companies mislabeled as "foreign-government influenced"

Legal or not, Harris is seizing Biden’s campaign cash
July 31, 2024   •  By Brad Smith   •  ,

President Biden’s sudden and unprecedented withdrawal with just a few months remaining in the 2024 presidential race raises a host of issues. One key question is how ...

Comments to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices
June 20, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

On June 18, 2024, the Institute for Free Speech provided comments to the Executive Director of  the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election ...

Free Speech Arguments – Episode 11: NRSC v. FEC
June 12, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

National Republican Senatorial Committee, et al. v. Federal Election Commission, et al., argued en banc in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth ...

Letter to House Leadership on No Foreign Election Interference Act
June 6, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  , ,

On June 6, 2024, the Institute for Free Speech sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem ...

Free Speech Arguments – Episode 10: U.S. v. Sittenfeld
May 10, 2024   •  By IFS Staff   •  ,

U.S. v. Sittenfeld, argued before Judges John K. Bush, John B. Nalbandian, Eric E. Murphy in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth ...

Putting “Dark Money” in Context: Campaign Spending by Nonprofits per Election Cycle
May 7, 2024   •  By Helen Knowles-Gardner   •  ,

One of the principal misconceptions about “dark money” is that it accounts for a significant percentage of total campaign spending.

Load more

Get the Latest Updates

© 2024 Institute for Free Speech | 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Suite 801 | Washington, DC 20036 | 202-301-3300

The word mark Institute for Free Speech® and its logo of a stylized lantern with a flame are federally registered service marks and are owned by the Institute for Free Speech.