An introduction to Constitutional Law 100 Supreme Court cases everyone should know

Sens. John McCain and Russ Feingold outside the Supreme Court following oral arguments in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The Rehnquist Court (1994-2005). Seated, from left to right: Antonin Scalia and John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy. Standing, from left to right: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David H. Souter, Clarence Thomas, and Stephen G. Breyer.

President George W. Bush

The Federal Election Commission

Senator Mitch McConnell

In 2002, the efforts to limit soft money culminated in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. BCRA was commonly referred to as “McCain-Feingold” after its sponsors, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who then served as the Republican Minority Whip, challenged BCRA’s constitutionality.

A fractured Court upheld almost all of BCRA. We will focus on the two most significant restrictions that were upheld. First, the Court held that Congress could restrict soft money contributions to political parties through Title I of BCRA. Second, the Court upheld Title II’s restrictions on independent expenditures for advertisements.

Justices Stevens and O’Connor jointly wrote the majority opinion.