The Supreme Court has permitted closer regulation of direct contributions to address quid pro quo corruption or its appearance. Independent advocacy receives stronger protection because the spender, not the candidate, controls the message. Disclosure and disclaimer rules raise a different question: they inform voters about funding and help enforce other rules without placing a dollar ceiling on speech. An answer that says Citizens United erased contribution limits or all disclosure requirements is too broad.

National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC added a narrow 2026 rule. The Court invalidated the special federal caps on a political party's expenditures coordinated with its candidates. It did not invalidate ordinary candidate-contribution limits, earmarking rules, source restrictions, or disclosure. On the exam, identify the actor, recipient, control, coordination, and type of restriction before deciding which First Amendment rule applies.

Video lesson: Campaign finance | Political participation | US government and civics | Khan Academy