The Supreme Court ruled on American Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Bullock today. This case involved campaign finance laws and is sometimes nicknamed “Citizens United 2” by politicos and SCOTUS-watchers. The United States Supreme Court reversed the Montana Supreme Court’s decision.
"Citizens United 2" RT @alisonfrankel: Here's ruling striking down Montana campaign finance law: http://t.co/lM4bn9N9
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) June 25, 2012
The key part of the one page opinion (Justice Breyer wrote a dissent and was joined by Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor and Kagan):
In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, this
Court struck down a similar federal law, holding that
“political speech does not lose First Amendment protection
simply because its source is a corporation.” 558 U. S. ___,
___ (2010) (slip op., at 26) (internal quotation marks omitted). The question presented in this case is whether the
holding of Citizens United applies to the Montana state
law. There can be no serious doubt that it does. See U. S.
Const., Art. VI, cl. 2. Montana’s arguments in support of
the judgment below either were already rejected in Citizens United, or fail to meaningfully distinguish that case.
The petition for certiorari is granted. The judgment of
the Supreme Court of Montana is reversed.
It is so ordered.
As Twitchy reported earlier, the Supreme Court also issued a decision on Arizona’s immigration law this morning, which kind of stole the thunder from this also important case.
Yup. RT @drewmtips: The Montana "mini-citizens united" case would be a big deal most other days.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) June 25, 2012
This is a hugely important First Amendment ruling and it was met with great approval by those who value, you know, The Constitution and freedom of speech.
Recommended
BOOM RT @philipaklein RT @SCOTUSblog: #SCOTUS strikes down Montana campaign finance statute under #CitizensUnited; vote is 5-4.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) June 25, 2012
Congrats! | RT @DonnyFerguson: We just won our Supreme Court case! Summary reversal of Montana. #CitizensUnited #SCOTUS
— Sean Hackbarth (@seanhackbarth) June 25, 2012
The MT "Citizens United 2" case is summarily reversed 5-4. MT tried an end run around SCOTUS.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) June 25, 2012
Fail, Montana.
Senator McConnell (R-Ky.) also lauded the decision.
Sen. McConnell calls Montana SCOTUS ruling "another important victory for freedom of speech"
— Daniel Strauss (@DanielStrauss4) June 25, 2012
McConnell on Montana ruling: "the much predicted corporate tsunami that critics of Citizens United warned abt simply did not occur" #SCOTUS
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) June 25, 2012
Who did not applaud the decision? The Left, of course. They don’t care for free speech and seek to quash it whenever they can. If you can’t beat them, silence them! That’s their motto.
Libs reel in pain RT @philipaklein RT @SCOTUSblog: #SCOTUS strikes down Montana campaign finance statute under #CitizensUnited; vote is 5-4.
— ✟ Right Scoop ✟ (@trscoop) June 25, 2012
SupremeCourt Reverses Anti #CitizensUnited Ruling http://t.co/oLuG22hf – It appears Scalia wants to make sure the US dies before he does
— Lee Camp [Redacted] (@LeeCamp) June 25, 2012
#SCOTUS decision on #Montana law shows this court is fully bought and paid for. No question now. How can people trust this court ever?
— Alan W. Silberberg (@IdeaGov) June 25, 2012
A Constitutional amendment to overturn #CitizensUnited has to be a priority of every candidate that we elect to Congress.
— Jonathan French (@JTrea81) June 25, 2012
And, zing!
https://twitter.com/jstrevino/status/217276554634465280
Truth. Of course, the Left tries to paint conservatives as hypocrites. Because, populist? Or anti-Wall Street? Or something. We aren’t quite sure; our cuckoo pants to sane decoder ring is in the shop. Twitter users give them a little taste of “truth to power” in response.
SCOTUS: The 1st Amendment applies in Montana. FYNQ.
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) June 25, 2012
https://twitter.com/LachlanMarkay/status/217259004152393728
https://twitter.com/rorycooper/status/217259197748871168
https://twitter.com/LachlanMarkay/status/217258192684580864
Indeed. Kudos, Supreme Court!
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