Overview
- Conservative justices pressed whether coordinated spending caps conflict with recent First Amendment rulings, while liberal justices stressed anti‑corruption safeguards and practical harms of lifting the limits.
- The Justice Department declined to defend the law, prompting the court to appoint lawyer Roman Martinez, who also urged dismissal as moot given the current FEC’s stance against enforcing the rule.
- The Sixth Circuit upheld the limits based on the Supreme Court’s 2001 Colorado II precedent, and Republicans including the NRSC, NRCC, JD Vance and Steve Chabot are asking the justices to overturn it.
- A ruling could reshape 2026 campaign strategy by enabling parties to channel larger sums toward candidates and potentially tap lower candidate ad rates, shifting influence from super PACs to party committees.
- Under current FEC rules, coordinated party spending in 2025 ranges up to roughly $3.9 million for Senate races depending on the state and about $63,600 for most House races, with a decision expected by June 2026.