Supreme Court hears bid to lift party spending caps

Written by TNNBot on December 09, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 9 heard arguments in a Republican challenge seeking to end federal limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with their candidates, a decision that could reshape 2026 campaign spending in Minnesota, including Minneapolis-Saint Paul races. The Federal Election Commission defended the current caps during the hearing; a ruling later this term could change how parties fund and coordinate electoral efforts.

Elections Legal

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📊 Relevant Data

The coordinated party expenditure limit for House candidates in states with more than one Representative is $63,600 for general elections in 2025. ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/))

Coordinated party expenditure limits — FEC.gov

For Senate candidates, coordinated party expenditure limits in 2025 range from $127,200 in smaller states like Alaska to $3,946,100 in California, based on state voting age population. ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/making-disbursements-political-party/coordinated-party-expenditures/coordinated-party-expenditure-limits/))

Coordinated party expenditure limits — FEC.gov

Total independent expenditures in the 2024 election cycle amounted to $4,205,052,224. ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle)) ([OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/by_cycle))

Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, Excluding Party Committees — OpenSecrets

In the 2023-2024 election cycle, Democratic party committees reported total disbursements of $1,559.2 million, while Republican party committees reported $1,076.9 million. ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/))

Statistical Summary of 24-Month Campaign Activity of the 2023-2024 Election Cycle — FEC.gov

Political party committees reported $177.5 million in independent expenditures during the 2023-2024 election cycle. ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/)) ([FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-24-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/))

Statistical Summary of 24-Month Campaign Activity of the 2023-2024 Election Cycle — FEC.gov

📌 Key Facts

U.S. Supreme Court considered a Republican-backed appeal on Dec. 9, 2025
Case targets federal limits on coordinated party spending with candidates
Outcome could affect campaign spending and advertising strategies in 2026 Twin Cities contests

📰 Source Timeline (1)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

December 09, 2025

1:48 PM

Supreme Court weighs Republican appeal to end limits on party spending in federal elections

Twincities by Associated Press