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Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Aggregate Contribution Limits

The Supreme Court’s decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission struck down the federal aggregate contribution limit.  Prior to the ruling, federal election regulations stated that an individual could only contribute $123,200 in a two-year election cycle.   If further stipulated, an individual’s contributions to candidates and all PACs/parties could not exceed $48,600 and $74,600 respectively.  Following the ruling, an individual may now contribute to as many federal candidates, PACs and national political parties as he or she wishes, provided that the following limits are not exceeded:
  • Federal candidates: $2,600 per election
  • PAC: $5,000 per calendar year
  • National party committee: $32,400 per calendar year
Residents in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia have some form of state aggregate contribution limit.  According to AGC PAC legal counsel, “The validity of the aggregate contribution limits in these jurisdictions is now doubtful.  We expect that these jurisdictions will review their aggregate contribution limit laws and determine whether they intend to continue enforcing these limits.” For more information, please contact David Ashinoff at (202) 547-5013 or ashinoffd@agc.org