Directory of Campaign Finance Reform News Reports from Free-Market. The competing bill has also been criticized for threatening free speech. By a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld spending caps on political party activity, reversing the trend toward recognition of political spending as protected speech. The decision is expected to bolster campaign finance legislation in Congress.
Critics call the measure a threat to free speech.
A committee sent dueling campaign finance bills to the House floor, moving Congress a step closer to imposing tight muzzles on the expression of political opinions, including support or opposition for politicians. Two hundred and five House members have signed a discharge petition to try to force a vote on a controversial measure that would severely limit political free speech. Supporters of the measure need only 13 more signatures to get their way. United States House leaders set aside only one day for debate over efforts to restrict people's donations to the political parties of their choice, and to muzzle the voices of unions, companies and grassroots groups on political issues. A federal court struck down part of New Hampshire's campaign finance law, siding with an anti-abortion group that claimed the rules unfairly restricted its free speech.