{"argument_date":"2013-10-08T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2013-10-08T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Murphy argued aggregate limits equalize political ability.","Mr. Burchfield argued these limits fail strict scrutiny.","General Verrilli argued aggregate limits combat corruption."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-17"}]}],"caption":"McCutcheon v. Federal Election Comm'n","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.513336Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.543291Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Appellants argue aggregate caps equalize political influence. The government argues these caps prevent corruption.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2013-10-08T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2013","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/12-536.html","primary_docket":"12-536","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T21:42:08.309381Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the constitutionality of aggregate contribution limits. Appellants seek to remove these caps. The government defends them as anti-corruption measures."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 8, 2013."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 47-49"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Appellants want the Court to strike down aggregate limits.","The government wants the Court to uphold aggregate limits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Appellants argue aggregate limits impermissibly equalize political participation.","The government argues aggregate limits combat corruption."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked how a donor's $5,000 to 400 PACs creates a problem.","Justice Kagan asked about a donor giving $100,000 to five Senate candidates."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-17"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the scope of political spending rights. It determines how much money individuals can give to candidates and PACs. The outcome shapes the balance between free speech and anti-corruption efforts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 7-7"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 55, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 23-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 47-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-17"}]}],"slug":"2013-12-536-mccutcheon-v-federal-election-comm-n","term":"2013","title":"Do aggregate limits on political donations violate free speech?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 39-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2013/12-536_2k81.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 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