Number: RS21571
Title: Campaign Finance and Prohibiting Contributions by Tax-Exempt Corporations: FEC v. Beaumont
Authors: L. Paige Whitaker, American Law Division 
Abstract: Finding that limits on contributions are more clearly justified under the First Amendment than limits on expenditures, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the prohibition on all corporations making direct treasury contributions in connection with federal elections and upheld the ban on corporate contributions as applied to the North Carolina Right to Life. This report provides an analysis of the Courts decision, including a discussion of possible implications for a pending Supreme Court case, McConnell v. FEC, which involves the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as McCain-Feingold, P.L. 107-155 (H.R. 2356, 107th Congress).
Pages: 6
Date: Updated July 16, 2003