October Term 2013 · Docket 12-536
Do aggregate limits on political donations violate free speech?
Appellants argue aggregate caps equalize political influence. The government argues these caps prevent corruption.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Murphy argued aggregate limits equalize political ability.
Mr. Burchfield argued these limits fail strict scrutiny.
General Verrilli argued aggregate limits combat corruption.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the constitutionality of aggregate contribution limits. Appellants seek to remove these caps. The government defends them as anti-corruption measures.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 8, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 47-49
What each side wants
Appellants want the Court to strike down aggregate limits.
The government wants the Court to uphold aggregate limits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
What each side says
Appellants argue aggregate limits impermissibly equalize political participation.
The government argues aggregate limits combat corruption.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
What the justices asked
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.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-17
Why it matters
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.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-17
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 39-3 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 39-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 7-7
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.