Supreme Court Asked by Democrats to Preserve Political Donation Limits Under GOP Fire

Washington, D.C. — In a bold move, Democratic groups are urging the Supreme Court to allow them to defend federal limits on coordinated political spending if the justices decide to take up a high-profile Republican challenge.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic National Committee (DNC), and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed a motion Friday seeking permission to intervene in the case NRSC v. FEC. The case challenges longstanding federal rules that restrict how political parties and candidates coordinate their campaign spending.

The controversy stems from the National Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (NRSC) lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which targets limits on contributions and coordinated expenditures. While federal law generally allows higher contribution limits to political parties compared to individual candidates, the Trump administration and the Justice Department have stopped enforcing these limits, arguing they violate the First Amendment.

With the government stepping back from defending the law, Democratic groups want to fill the gap — asking the Supreme Court for permission to defend these campaign finance rules. The GOP claims that restrictions on coordination infringe upon free speech rights, citing a recent ruling from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals involving then-Vice President-elect JD Vance and GOP committees. However, the Supreme Court has yet to overturn a key 2001 precedent (FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee) that upheld these limits.

In a joint statement, DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand, DNC Chair Ken Martin, and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene emphasized their commitment to protecting democracy. “Democrats won’t stand by and let Republicans pave the way for the ultra-wealthy to rig our democracy,” they said. “If the United States government won’t defend the law, Democrats will do it for them.”

As the Supreme Court weighs whether to hear the case, this latest development puts the spotlight on the future of campaign finance laws and the ongoing battle over political spending limits in the United States.