Buckley v. Valeo case brief

Buckley v. Valeo (1976) "Campaign Contributions"

Part of federal campaign statute being challenged.

Issues: Facial challenges as to:

1. Whether campaign expenditures can be limited and
2. Whether campaign contributions can be limited.

Did the Act’s limitations on contributions and expenditures violate the Constitution? Challenged under several theories, including a First Amendment theory.

Holding: Court says can’t limit expenditures, but can limit contributions.
-Court said speech = speaking through one’s donations, subsidizing messages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckley_v._Valeo
Text of the Opinion:  Buckley v. Valeo