Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz.
In Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz, the Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of Section 304 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which limits the repayment of candidate loans using post-election contributions. The Court found that this limitation burdens political speech without sufficient justification. The decision affirmed the lower court's ruling that the repayment restriction violates the First Amendment.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz.
The Court held that Section 304 of BCRA burdens core political speech without proper justification, violating the First Amendment.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
-
Why Free Speech is relevant to Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz
The case primarily concerns whether the loan-repayment limitation burdens political speech, which is protected under the First Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Section 304 of BCRA burdens core political speech without proper justification.
-
Why Standing is relevant to Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz
The Court discusses whether the appellees have standing to challenge the enforcement of Section 304, which is a requirement under Article III.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Appellees have standing to challenge the threatened enforcement of Section 304.
-
Why Judicial Review is relevant to Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz
The Court exercises its power to review and invalidate government action by determining the constitutionality of Section 304.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)In the end, it remains our role to decide whether a particular legislative choice is constitutional.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Federal Election Comm’n v. Ted Cruz that support the summary and concepts above.
Section 304 of BCRA burdens core political speech without proper justification.
Appellees have standing to challenge the threatened enforcement of Section 304.
The loan-repayment limitation abridges First Amendment rights by burdening candidates who wish to make expenditures on behalf of their own candidacy through personal loans.
