Almost two years ago, a 527 organization called SpeechNow.org, asked for a court ruling that would have blocked the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from enforcing limits on contributions to the group. On Jan. 27, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in the case. The court must consider whether the group should be subject to an annual limit on donations from individuals and comply with disclosure requirements.

Almost a week has passed since the Supreme Court issued the very significant ruling in the Citizens United case. There has been nonstop commentary and discussion of the possible ramifications. During a news conference, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced plans to hold hearings and introduce legislation to curtail the effects of the decision. One suggestion from the lawmakers would require shareholders to vote before a corporation could spend money in elections.

The long awaited decision in Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission was issued today. With a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court overturned a 20-year ruling that corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign advertisements. Justices also struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that prohibited unions and corporations from running issue ads before primary and general elections.