What did the Supreme Court decide in FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life?

• A. Banned all corporate spending on issue ads
• B. Unconstitutional ban on corporate spending within 60 days of an election
• C. Allowed for stricter limits on advertising
• D. Affirmed contribution limits for national committees

Answer: (B)

The Supreme Court's decision in the case of FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life centered around the issue of whether certain restrictions on political spending by corporations violated the First Amendment. The Court ruled that prohibiting corporations from spending money on issue ads that mentioned candidates within a specific time frame before an election was unconstitutional. This ruling recognized that such restrictions infringed on the free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

By affirming that corporate spending on issue ads cannot be banned within 60 days of an election, the Court underscored the importance of political speech in a democratic society and established that issue advocacy is protected even when it is funded by corporate resources. Consequently, this decision has had significant implications for how corporations can engage in political discourse during election cycles.

In contrast to the other options, this decision did not ban all corporate spending altogether, nor did it impose stricter limits on advertising or affirm contribution limits for national committees. The ruling specifically addressed the timing of corporate spending in relation to elections, marking a pivotal moment in the realm of campaign finance law.