What was the result of McCutcheon v. FEC (2014)?

The case of McCutcheon v. FEC (2014) resulted in the Supreme Court striking down aggregate limits on individual contributions to political candidates and committees. The ruling emphasized that these limits imposed by the federal government were a violation of the First Amendment's free speech protections. The Court argued that money spent to influence elections is a form of protected speech, and thus, individuals should have the freedom to donate to as many candidates or political entities as they wish, as long as they adhere to individual contribution limits.

This decision was significant as it effectively dismantled prior constraints on the total amount an individual could contribute during an election cycle, allowing for greater financial involvement by individuals in the political process. The ruling did not extend similar rights to corporations but focused purely on individual contributions, reinforcing the notion that financial contributions are a crucial form of expressing support in a democratic society.