Campaign finance post-Supreme Court

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has issued a report outlining campaign finance policy options for Congress to consider in response to the Supreme Court's Jan. 21 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. CRS cites two "particularly noteworthy" issues from the decision:

First, corporations (and presumably unions) now appear to be permitted to fund advertising explicitly calling for the election or defeat of federal (or state) candidates. Second, previous restrictions on corporate-funded broadcast ads known as electioneering communications have been eased.

CRS discusses six possible options for Congress:

• Maintain the status quo
• Amend the Constitution
• Enact public financing
• Provide campaigns or parties with additional access to funds
• Restrict certain types of expenditures
• Revisit disclosure or disclaimer requirements

Campaign Finance Policy After Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: Issues and Options for Congress, R41054 (pdf, 11pp/156kB), from Open CRS, Feb. 1, 2010