Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance Raises Concerns From Environmental Groups

摘要

The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 21 overturned longstanding limits on corporate and union spending in federal election campaigns in a ruling that prompted concern among environmental groups over the possible ramifications for candidates who back clean energy policy (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, U.S., No. 08-205, 1/21/10).rnThe court, in a 5-4 majority opinion authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, ruled that the First Amendment protects corporations and unions in the same way it protects individuals, in terms of the ability to spend money to influence campaigns. Kennedy said that controls on corporate and union spending amounted to "censorship to control speech."