Glossary

Citizens United v. FEC

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling that the First Amendment bars limits on independent political spending by corporations and unions.

Also called: Citizens United, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) arose from a nonprofit's effort to air a film critical of Hillary Clinton close to the 2008 primaries, which federal law barred corporations from funding through "electioneering communications." By a 5-4 vote the Supreme Court held that the government may not suppress independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion reasoned that political speech does not lose First Amendment protection because the speaker is a corporation, and that independent spending does not give rise to quid pro quo corruption. The Court upheld disclosure requirements, so groups must still report some spending. Direct contributions to candidates and coordinated spending remain limited. The decision, together with a lower-court ruling in SpeechNow.org v. FEC, led to the rise of the Super PAC.

The ruling remains one of the most contested of recent decades. Supporters, including many conservatives and civil-liberties groups, call it a defense of free speech, including that of media companies and advocacy groups. Critics, mostly on the left, argue that it lets wealthy interests dominate politics and enables dark money. Some Democrats have proposed a constitutional amendment to reverse it.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Super PAC A political committee that can raise unlimited sums to support or oppose candidates but may not coordinate with them or give them money. Political action committee An organization that raises and spends money from members or donors to support or oppose candidates, subject to federal limits. Dark money A label for political spending by groups, such as certain nonprofits, that do not have to disclose the original donors. Compelled speech The First Amendment principle that the government generally cannot force people to express messages they disagree with.