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      FEC Record: Litigation
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      James v. FEC (Supreme Court)

FEC Record: Litigation*James v. FEC* (Supreme Court)April 15, 2014 On April 7, 2014, the Supreme Court vacated a district court judgment in *James v. Federal Election Commission*and remanded the case for further consideration in light of its decision in *McCutcheon v. FEC*. **Background** In August 2012, Virginia James filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Federal Election Campaign Act’s biennial limit on an individual’s total contributions to federal candidates. 2 U.S.C. § 441a(a)(3)(A). That limit
    was among those simultaneously before the court in *McCutcheon v. FEC* (D.D.C. Civ. No. 12-1034),
    which challenged the Act’s biennial limits on total contributions to candidates, party committees and PACs. On September 28, 2012, the court rejected all of the *McCutcheon* plaintiffs’ claims and dismissed that lawsuit. Finding no basis to distinguish between the two cases, the court dismissed Ms. James’ suit on October 31, 2012. **Summary disposition** On April 2, 2014, the Supreme Court reversed the district court decision in *McCutcheon*, finding the aggregate contribution limits unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Consistent with that opinion, the Court then vacated the district court’s
    decision in *James* and ordered the district court to reconsider its opinion in light of *McCutcheon*. U.S. Supreme Court No. 12-683. **Resources:** Supreme Court Summary Disposition [PDF]
    *James v. FEC*litigation page
    *McCutcheon v. FEC*litigation page
    Article: *McCutcheon v. FEC*: Supreme Court finds biennial limits unconstitutional
 Author
          Isaac BakerCommunications Specialist


Read next: McCutcheon v. FEC: Supreme Court finds aggregate biennial limits unconstitutional
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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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