Overview
- Oral arguments in NRSC v. FEC probed whether federal caps on coordinated party expenditures violate the First Amendment, in a case brought by Republican committees with then‑Sen. J.D. Vance and former Rep. Steve Chabot.
- President Trump’s FEC joined the challengers, prompting the Court to appoint Roman Martinez to defend the lower court ruling and to argue the case should be dismissed as moot due to the government’s nonenforcement stance.
- Democratic committees—the DNC, DSCC and DCCC—intervened to defend the caps, warning they prevent donors from evading individual contribution limits by routing money through party committees.
- The 6th Circuit upheld the limits based on the Supreme Court’s 2001 Colorado II precedent; the justices are expected to decide the appeal by June 2026, with potential effects on 2026 fundraising and strategy.
- During arguments, Justice Brett Kavanaugh voiced concern that past campaign‑finance rulings have weakened parties relative to outside groups, as lawyers debated standing and the practical impact of lifting the caps, which range up to roughly $3.9 million for some Senate races.