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FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee
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FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee

2001 Supreme Court ruling that upheld limits on party spending coordinated with candidates.

Last refreshed: 27 October 2026

Timeline for FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee

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Background

FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee, 533 U.S. 431, decided on 25 June 2001 and known as Colorado II, upheld federal limits on what political parties may spend in coordination with their own candidates. Justice David Souter wrote for a 5-4 majority that coordinated party spending may be limited to stop donors using parties to evade contribution limits; Justice Clarence Thomas dissented.

the Supreme Court overruled it on 30 June 2026 in NRSC v. FEC, striking the caps 6-3. For 25 years parties had routed much of their late money into Independent spending they could not plan with campaigns; by October 2026 the DSCC alone was spending $16.14m in a fortnight alongside its candidates.

Common Questions
What did the Supreme Court decide in Colorado II?
In FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee (2001), the Court ruled 5-4 that limits on party spending coordinated with candidates are constitutional, because such spending could let donors evade contribution limits.Source: law.cornell.edu, 533 U.S. 431
Is Colorado II still good law?
No. the Supreme Court overruled it on 30 June 2026 in NRSC v. FEC, ruling 6-3 that the coordinated party spending caps violate the First Amendment.Source: Lowdown; Skadden, July 2026
Why does Colorado II matter for the 2026 midterms?
Its overruling freed parties to spend without limit alongside their candidates for the first time in 25 years. The DSCC spent $16.14m that way from 1 to 14 October 2026.Source: Lowdown, from FEC reports
Source Material
NRSC v. FEC: Supreme Court Invalidates Limits on Political Parties' Coordinated SpendingFederal Election Commission v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee, 533 U.S. 431 (2001)FEC v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee (00-191), syllabus

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 27 October 2026. Editorial standards.