fec massachusetts citizens life argued october decided december section federal election campaign act feca prohibits corporations using treasury funds make expenditure connection federal election requires expenditure purpose financed voluntary contributions separate segregated fund appellee nonprofit nonstock corporation whose purpose foster respect human life defend right life human beings born unborn educational political forms activities purpose published newsletter distributed contributors noncontributors expressed support organization september appellee prepared distributed special edition exhorting readers vote upcoming primary elections massachusetts listing candidates state federal office every voting district state identifying one either supporting opposing appellee views candidates listed photographs featured identified favoring appellee views publication prepared staff prepared regular newsletter distributed much larger audience regular newsletter members general public financed money taken appellee general treasury funds complaint filed appellant federal election commission fec alleging special edition violated representing expenditure funds corporate treasury distribute general public campaign flyer behalf certain political candidates fec determined probable cause believe appellee violated statute fec filed complaint federal district seeking civil penalty relief district granted appellee motion summary judgment holding apply appellee unconstitutional violation first amendment appeals held statute applied appellee applied unconstitutional held judgment affirmed affirmed justice brennan delivered opinion parts ii concluding appellee publication distribution special edition violated pp merit appellee contention preparation distribution special edition fall within definition expenditure provision various things value candidate campaign committee political party organization connection election especially since general definitions section feca broadly defines expenditure including provision anything value made purpose influencing election federal office moreover legislative history clearly confirms meant proscribe expenditures connection election history makes clear congress long regarded insufficient merely restrict payments made directly candidates campaign organizations pp expenditure must constitute express advocacy order subject prohibition publication special edition constituted express advocacy since represented express advocacy election particular candidates distributed members general public pp appellee entitled press exemption feca reserved news story commentary editorial distributed periodical publication since even assuming appellee regular newsletter exempt provision special edition considered comparable single issue newsletter view method prepared distributed pp section restriction independent spending unconstitutional applied appellee infringes protected speech without compelling justification infringement concern underlying regulation corporate political activity organizations amass great wealth economic marketplace gain unfair advantage political marketplace absent regard appellee appellee formed disseminate political ideas amass capital shareholders persons claim assets earnings obtains funds persons make contributions organization political purposes established business corporation labor union policy accept contributions entities pp justice brennan joined justice marshall justice powell justice scalia concluded part practical effect applying appellee discouraging protected speech sufficient characterize infringement first amendment activities corporation appellee subject extensive requirements stringent restrictions feca incorporated include detailed recordkeeping disclosure obligations requirement complex formalized organization limitation solicited contributions create disincentive organization engage political speech pp justice agreeing unconstitutional applied appellee conduct issue concluded significant burden appellee comes statute disclosure requirements appellee must satisfy additional organizational restraints imposed upon statute restraints government informational interest campaign disclosure justified interests identified fec pp charles steele argued cause appellant briefs richard bader francis fox argued cause appellee brief susan garsh roger witten william lake carol lee archibald cox filed brief common cause amicus curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed american civil liberties union et al marjorie heins burt neuborne jack novik catholic league religious civil rights steven frederick mcdowell chamber commerce judith richmond stephen bokat robin conrad jan baran home builders association massachusetts wayne henderson national rifle association america james featherstone richard gardiner joseph scheidler et al edward grant maura quinlan jane kirtley david barr nancy hendry laurent scharff bruce sanford filed brief reporters committee freedom press et al amici curiae justice brennan announced judgment delivered opinion respect parts ii opinion respect part justice marshall justice powell justice scalia join questions decision arise federal election campaign act feca act stat renumbered amended first question whether appellee massachusetts citizens life mcfl nonprofit nonstock corporation financing certain activity treasury funds violated restriction independent spending contained section prohibits corporations using treasury funds make expenditure connection federal election requires expenditure purpose financed voluntary contributions separate segregated fund appellee violated next question whether application section mcfl conduct constitutional hold appellee use treasury funds prohibited unconstitutional applied activity federal election commission fec commission complains mcfl incorporated january nonprofit nonstock corporation massachusetts law corporate purpose stated articles incorporation foster respect human life defend right life human beings born unborn educational political forms activities addition engage lawful act activity corporations may organized app appellee engaged diverse educational legislative activities designed agenda organized ecumenical prayer service unborn front massachusetts statehouse sponsored regional conference discuss issues abortion euthanasia provided speakers discussion groups debates lectures media programs sponsored annual march life addition drafted submitted legislation become law massachusetts sponsored testimony proposed legislation urged members contact elected representatives express opinion legislative proposals mcfl began publishing newsletter january distributed matter course contributors funds permitted noncontributors expressed support organization total distribution one issue never exceeded newsletter published irregularly three times five times eight times eight times five times four times newsletters bore masthead identifying massachusetts citizens life newsletter well volume issue number publication typically contained appeals volunteers contributions information mcfl activities well matters results hearings bills constitutional amendments status particular legislation outcome referenda decisions administrative hearings newsletter recipients usually urged contact relevant decisionmakers express opinion september mcfl prepared distributed special edition prior september primary elections may newsletter mailed people october newsletter people copies special edition printed distribution front page publication headlined everything need know vote readers admonished candidate win november without vote september vote printed large letters back page coupon provided clipped taken polls remind voters name candidates next exhortation vote disclaimer special election edition represent endorsement particular candidate aid reader selecting candidates flyer listed candidates state federal office every voting district massachusetts identified one either supporting opposing mcfl regarded correct position three issues indicated candidate supported mcfl view particular issue indicated candidate opposed asterisk placed next names incumbents made special contribution unborn maintaining voting record state house actively supporting mcfl legislation candidates running office primary special edition featured photographs received triple rating identified either favorable voting record stated position consistent mcfl candidate whose photograph featured received even one rating special edition edited officer mcfl part staff prepared mcfl newsletters special edition mailed free charge without request contributors others mcfl regarded sympathetic organization purposes commission asserts remainder issues placed public areas general distribution mcfl insists copies made available general public special edition identified masthead special edition regular newsletter although mcfl logotype appear top words volume apparently handwritten edition submitted fec record indicates actual volume distributed may june corporation spent publish circulate special edition taken general treasury funds complaint filed commission alleging special edition violation complaint maintained edition represented expenditure funds corporate treasury distribute general public campaign flyer behalf certain political candidates fec found reason believe violation occurred initiated investigation determined probable cause existed believe mcfl violated act conciliation efforts failed commission filed complaint district seeking civil penalty appropriate relief parties moved summary judgment district granted mcfl motion holding election publications regarded expenditures special edition exempt statutory prohibition virtue general exempts news commentary distributed periodical publication unaffiliated candidate political party statute applied mcfl unconstitutional violation first amendment supp mass appeal appeals first circuit held statute applicable mcfl affirmed district holding statute applied unconstitutional granted certiorari affirm ii agree appeals special edition outside reach first find merit appellee contention preparation distribution special edition fall within section definition expenditure section defines contribution expenditure provision various things value candidate campaign committee political party organization connection election emphasis added mcfl contends since supplied nothing candidate organization publication within however general definitions section act contains broader definition expenditure including within term provision anything value made purpose influencing election federal office emphasis added since language statute alone resolve issue must look legislative history determine scope term expenditure history clearly confirms meant proscribe expenditures connection election exhaustively recounted legislative history predecessors section prior decisions see pipefitters automobile workers history makes clear congress long regarded insufficient merely restrict payments made directly candidates campaign organizations first explicit expression came congress passed act ch stat amended ed criminal statute prohibiting corporate contributions expenditures candidates statute amended forbade corporation labor organization make contribution expenditure connection election federal office report house special committee investigate campaign expenditures explained rationale amendment noting undermine basic objective assumed term making contribution related donating money directly candidate excluded vast expenditures money activities herein shown engaged extensively avail law prohibit contributing direct candidate yet permit expenditure large sums behalf quoted automobile workers supra cio narrowed scope prohibition permitting use union funds publish special edition weekly cio news distributed union members purchasers issue automobile workers supra however held union subject indictment using union dues sponsor political advertisements commercial television distinguishing cio stated concern statute use corporation union funds influence public large vote particular candidate particular party federal election campaign act enacted prohibition found portion act simply ratified existing understanding scope see pipefitters supra representative hansen sponsor provision declared effect language carry basic intent section prohibit use union corporate funds active electioneering directed general public behalf candidate federal election cong rec net effect amendment therefore tighten clarify provisions section title code codify case law ibid appellee next argues definition expenditure necessarily incorporates requirement communication expressly advocate election candidates special edition constitute express advocacy argument relies portion buckley valeo upheld disclosure requirement expenditures individuals candidates groups political committees see order avoid problems overbreadth held term expenditure encompassed funds used communications expressly advocate election defeat clearly identified candidate omitted rationale holding distinction discussion issues candidates advocacy election defeat candidates may often dissolve practical application candidates especially incumbents intimately tied public issues involving legislative proposals governmental actions candidates campaign basis positions various issues campaigns generate issues public interest omitted buckley adopted express advocacy requirement distinguish discussion issues candidates pointed exhortations vote particular persons therefore concluded case finding express advocacy depended upon use language vote elect support buckley supra exhortation appears special edition publication urges voters vote candidates also identifies provides photographs specific candidates fitting description edition regarded mere discussion public issues nature raise names certain politicians rather provides effect explicit directive vote named candidates fact message marginally less direct vote smith change essential nature edition goes beyond issue discussion express electoral advocacy disclaimer endorsement negate fact special edition thus falls squarely within represents express advocacy election particular candidates distributed members general public finally mcfl argues entitled press exemption reserved news story commentary editorial distributed facilities newspaper magazine periodical publication unless facilities owned controlled political party political committee candidate make plain intent congress present legislation limit burden way first amendment freedoms press association exemption assures unfettered right newspapers tv networks media cover comment political campaigns mcfl protests determining scope press exemption reference factors inappropriately focuses superficial considerations form however precisely factors combination permit distinction campaign flyers regular publications regard inquiry essential since accept notion distribution flyers entities happen publish newsletters automatically entitles organizations press exemption contrary position open door corporations unions inhouse publications engage unlimited spending directly treasuries distribute campaign material general public thereby eviscerating prohibition sum hold mcfl publication distribution special edition violation therefore turn constitutionality provision applied appellee iii independent expenditures constitute expression core electoral process first amendment freedoms buckley quoting williams rhodes see also fec national conservative political action committee ncpac independent expenditures produce speech core first amendment must therefore determine whether prohibition burdens political speech whether burden justified compelling state interest buckley supra fec minimizes impact legislation upon mcfl first amendment rights emphasizing corporation remains free establish separate segregated fund composed contributions earmarked purpose donors may used unlimited campaign spending however corporation free use general funds campaign advocacy purposes absolute restriction speech substantial one moreover even speak segregated fund mcfl must make significant efforts incorporated mcfl obligations act specified section prescribes duties person political committee section provides person year makes independent expenditures exceeding must identify contributors contribute given year aggregate funds influence elections disclose name address recipients independent expenditures exceeding aggregate along indication whether money used support oppose particular candidate identify persons make contributions earmarked purpose furthering independent expenditures unincorporated organizations whose major purpose campaign advocacy occasionally make independent expenditures behalf candidates subject regulations incorporated however mcfl must establish separate segregated fund wishes engage independent spending whatsoever since fund considered political committee act mcfl independent expenditure activity result regulated though organization major purpose election candidates means mcfl must comply several requirements addition mentioned must appoint treasurer ensure contributions forwarded treasurer within days receipt depending amount contribution see treasurer keeps account every contribution regardless amount name address person makes contribution excess contributions received political committees name address person disbursement made regardless amount preserve receipts disbursements records three years mcfl must file statement organization containing name address name custodian records banks safety deposit boxes depositories must report change information within days may dissolve upon filing written statement longer receive contributions make disbursements outstanding debts obligations mcfl must file either monthly reports fec reports following schedule quarterly reports election years report later day election postelection report within days election reports every months nonelection years reports must contain information regarding amount cash hand total amount receipts detailed different categories identification political committee candidate authorized affiliated committee making contributions persons making loans providing rebates refunds dividends interest offset operating expenditures aggregate amount total amount disbursements detailed different categories names authorized affiliated committees expenditures aggregating made persons loan repayments refunds made total sum contributions operating expenses outstanding debts obligations settlement terms retirement debt obligation addition mcfl may solicit contributions separate segregated fund members include persons merely contributed indicated support organization past see fec national right work committee evident survey mcfl subject extensive requirements stringent restrictions incorporated additional regulations may create disincentive organizations engage political speech detailed disclosure obligations along duty appoint treasurer custodian records impose administrative costs many small entities may unable bear furthermore duties require far complex formalized organization many small groups manage restriction solicitation contributions members vastly reduces sources funding organizations either formal members directly limiting ability organizations engage core political speech unreasonable suppose case incorporated group persons might seek donations support dissemination political ideas occasional endorsement political candidates means garage sales bake sales raffles persons might well turned away prospect complying requirements imposed act faced need assume sophisticated organizational form adopt specific accounting procedures file periodic detailed reports monitor garage sales lest nonmembers take fancy merchandise display surprising least groups decided contemplated political activity simply worth thus remove opportunities independent spending organizations mcfl avenue leaves open burdensome one forecloses fact statute practical effect may discourage protected speech sufficient characterize infringement first amendment activities freedman maryland instance held absence certain procedural safeguards rendered unconstitutional state film censorship program procedures necessary said practical matter without may prove burdensome seek review censor determination speiser randall reviewed state program taxpayers applying certain tax exemption bore burden proving advocate overthrow support foreign government country noted practical operation therefore procedural device must necessarily produce result state command directly result deterrence speech constitution makes free may said practical effect mcfl case make engaging protected speech severely demanding task statutory provision burdens first amendment rights must justified compelling state interest williams rhodes naacp button fec first insists justification expenditure restriction provided acknowledgment special characteristics corporate structure require particularly careful regulation national right work committee supra commission thus relies long history regulation corporate political activity support application mcfl evaluation commission argument requires close examination underlying rationale longstanding regulation described rationale recent opinions need restrict influence political war chests funneled corporate form ncpac eliminate effect aggregated wealth federal elections pipefitters curb political influence exercise control large aggregations capital automobile workers regulate substantial aggregations wealth amassed special advantages go corporate form organization national right work committee concern corrosive influence concentrated corporate wealth reflects conviction important protect integrity marketplace political ideas acknowledges wisdom justice holmes observation ultimate good desired better reached free trade ideas best test truth power thought get accepted competition market abrams holmes joined brandeis dissenting direct corporate spending political activity raises prospect resources amassed economic marketplace may used provide unfair advantage political marketplace political free trade necessarily require participate political marketplace exactly equal resources see ncpac supra invalidating limits independent spending political committees buckley striking expenditure limits campaign act relative availability funds rough barometer public support resources treasury business corporation however indication popular support corporation political ideas reflect instead economically motivated decisions investors customers availability resources may make corporation formidable political presence even though power corporation may reflection power ideas requiring corporate independent expenditures financed political committee expressly established engage campaign spending seeks prevent threat political marketplace resources available fund opposed corporate treasury fact reflect popular support political positions committee pipefitters supra acknowledged objective noting statement representative hansen sponsor underlying theory regulation substantial general purpose treasuries diverted political purposes requiring funding voluntary contributions ensure money collected intended contribute used political purposes money diverted another source quoting cong rec see also automobile workers supra congress added proscription expenditures corrupt practices act protect political process deemed corroding effect money employed elections aggregated power expenditure restrictions thus meant ensure competition among actors political arena truly competition among ideas regulation corporate political activity thus reflected concern use corporate form per se potential unfair deployment wealth political purposes groups mcfl however pose danger corruption mcfl formed disseminate political ideas amass capital resources available function success economic popularity political marketplace mcfl may derive advantages corporate form advantages redound benefit political organization enterprise short mcfl type traditional corporatio organized economic gain ncpac supra focus regulation corporate political activity national right work committee support inclusion mcfl within restriction direct independent spending case upheld application nonprofit corporation different provision limitation solicited contributions political committee however political activity issue case contributions committee established purpose making direct contributions political candidates consistently held restrictions contributions require less compelling justification restrictions independent spending ncpac california medical assn fec buckley supra light historical role contributions corruption electoral process need broad prophylactic rule thus sufficient national right work committee support limitation ability committee raise money direct contributions candidates limitation solicitation case however means nonmember corporations hardly raise funds engage political speech warranting highest constitutional protection regulation produce result demands far precision provides therefore desirability broad prophylactic rule justify treating alike business corporations appellee regulation independent spending commission next argues support prevents organization using individual money purposes individual may support acknowledged legitimacy concern dissenting stockholder union member national right work committee pipefitters persons noted contribute investment funds union dues economic gain necessarily authorize use money political ends furthermore individuals depend organization income job enough tell unhappiness use money redressed simply leaving corporation union thus wholly reasonable congress require establishment separate political fund persons make voluntary contributions rationale regulation compelling respect independent expenditures appellee individuals contribute appellee fully aware political purposes fact contribute precisely support purposes true contributor may aware exact use money ultimately may put specific candidate may used support however individuals contribute political organization part regard contribution effective means advocacy spending money personal direction contribution therefore necessarily involves least degree delegation authority use funds manner best serves shared political purposes organization contributor addition individual desiring direct control use money simply earmark contribution specific purpose option whose availability depend applicability cf entities political committees must disclose names persons making earmarked contributions finally contributor dissatisfied funds used simply stop contributing commission maintains even contributors may aware contribution appellee used political purposes general may wish money used electoral campaigns particular persons may desire organization use contributions certain cause may want organization use money urge support opposition political candidates solely basis cause concern met however means far narrowly tailored less burdensome restriction direct expenditures simply requiring contributors informed money may used purpose true national right work committee supra held goal protecting minority interests justified solicitation restrictions nonprofit corporation operating political committee established make direct contributions candidates noted however government enjoys greater latitude limiting contributions regulating independent expenditures supra given contributor awareness political activity appellee well readily available remedy refusing donations interest protecting contributors simply insufficient support restriction independent spending mcfl finally fec maintains inapplicability mcfl open door massive undisclosed political spending similar entities use conduits undisclosed spending business corporations unions see danger even inapplicable independent expenditure little mcfl trigger disclosure provisions result mcfl required identify contributors annually provide aggregate funds intended influence elections specify recipients independent spending amounting bound identify persons making contributions request money used independent expenditures reporting obligations provide precisely information necessary monitor mcfl independent spending activity receipt contributions state interest disclosure therefore met manner less restrictive imposing full panoply regulations accompany status political committee act furthermore mcfl independent spending become extensive organization major purpose may regarded campaign activity corporation classified political committee see buckley automatically subject obligations restrictions applicable groups whose primary objective influence political campaigns sum need sake disclosure treat mcfl differently organizations occasionally engage independent spending behalf candidates thus concerns underlying regulation corporate political activity simply absent regard mcfl dissent surely correct maintaining decision sweep within broad prohibition activities differ degree kind post case however mcfl merely poses less threat danger prompted regulation rather pose threat voluntary political associations suddenly present specter corruption merely assuming corporate form given fact rationale restricting core political speech case simply desire rule hardly constitutes compelling state interest necessary justify infringement first amendment freedom burden mcfl speech insurmountable permit imposed without constitutionally adequate justification holding assume legislative role fulfill judicial duty enforce demands constitution conclusion restriction independent spending unconstitutional applied mcfl infringes protected speech without compelling justification infringement acknowledge legitimacy congress concern organizations amass great wealth economic marketplace gain unfair advantage political marketplace regardless whether concern adequate support application commercial enterprises question us justification extend uniformly corporations corporations features akin voluntary political associations business firms therefore bear burdens independent spending solely incorporated status particular mcfl three features essential holding may constitutionally bound restriction independent spending first formed express purpose promoting political ideas engage business activities political fundraising events expressly denominated requests contributions used political purposes including direct expenditures events considered business activities ensures political resources reflect political support second shareholders persons affiliated claim assets earnings ensures persons connected organization economic disincentive disassociating disagree political activity third mcfl established business corporation labor union policy accept contributions entities prevents corporations serving conduits type direct spending creates threat political marketplace may class organizations affected holding today small prospect however diminish significance rights stake freedom speech plays fundamental role democracy said freedom thought speech matrix indispensable condition nearly every form freedom palko connecticut pursuit governmental ends however may tempt us accept small increments loss unthinkable inflicted reason must vigilant modest diminution speech sweeping restriction possible government must curtail speech degree necessary meet particular problem hand must avoid infringing speech pose danger prompted regulation enacting provision issue case congress chosen blunt instrument delicate task judgment appeals affirmed footnotes fec submitted affidavit person stated obtained copy special edition statewide conference national organization women stack copies available general public app mcfl argues definition general definitions section broad appears says nothing shall considered expenditure regarded therefore mcfl argues definition expenditure necessarily incorporates restriction term payments candidate puzzling however one subsection purport define expenditure payment made purpose influencing election another subsection eliminate precisely type activity ambit definition answer may lie fact says expenditures include payments candidate term indicates activities specifically enumerated section may nonetheless encompassed event need speculation signals language statute face dispositive see also cong rec remarks hays remarks thompson remarks steiger gude find special edition akin normal business activity press entity deemed lower courts fall within exemption distribution letter soliciting subscriptions see fec phillips publishing supp dc dissemination publicity see reader digest assn fec supp sdny buckley valeo said entity subject regulation political committee act one either control candidate major purpose nomination election candidate undisputed record mcfl fits neither descriptions central organizational purpose issue advocacy although occasionally engages activities behalf political candidates true acknowledged buckley supra although reporting disclosure requirements act deter individuals otherwise might contribute burden justified substantial government interests however effect additional reporting disclosure obligations organization contributors may necessarily constitute additional burden speech administrative costs complying increased responsibilities may create disincentive organization speak fact mcfl established political committee change conclusion corporation speech may well inhibited due inability form entity date furthermore organizations comparable mcfl may find feasible establish committee may therefore decide forgo engaging independent political speech commission relies regan taxation representation support contention requirement independent spending conducted separate segregated fund burden mcfl first amendment rights regan however involved requirement nonprofit corporation establish separate lobbying entity contributions corporation conduct activities tax deductible corporation chose set lobbying arm eligible contributions result however infringe protected activity right speech subsidized government contrast activity may discouraged case independent spending core political speech first amendment market metaphor guided congressional regulation area campaign activity first amendment speech necessarily limited instrumental role justice brandies stated discussion political speech concurrence whitney california independence believed final end state make men free develop faculties government deliberative forces prevail arbitrary valued liberty end means business corporations may represent organizations pose danger far prominent example entities enjoy legal advantages enhancing ability accumulate wealth congress present seek regulate every possible type firm fitting description undermine justification regulating corporations rather congress decision represents careful legislative adjustment federal electoral laws cautious advance step step said owe considerable deference fec national right work committee quoting nlrb jones laughlin steel regulation imposed result concern course distinguishable complete foreclosure opportunity political speech invalidated state referendum context first national bank boston bellotti restriction deprive organizations members solicited donations separate segregated fund makes contributions candidates fund decision national right work committee must established corporations wishing make candidate contributions national right work committee requires members either financial organizational attachment corporation emphasis added decision today merely corporation persons affiliated financially must fall outside prohibition direct expenditures also two characteristics possessed mcfl discuss text justice concurring part concurring judgment join parts ii concur judgment federal election campaign act act unconstitutional applied conduct appellee massachusetts citizens life mcfl issue case write separately however concerned discussion act disclosure requirements may read moving away teaching buckley valeo see ante buckley concerned chilling effect reporting disclosure requirements organization contributors also potential burden disclosure requirements group speech buckley concluded disclosure group independent campaign expenditures serves important governmental interest shed ding light publicity campaign financing thereby helping voters evaluate constituencies seek federal office result burden disclosing independent expenditures generally reasonable minimally restrictive method furthering first amendment values opening basic processes federal election system public view view significant burden mcfl case comes disclosure requirements must satisfy additional organizational restraints imposed upon act described ante engaging campaign speech requires mcfl assume formalized organizational form significantly reduces eliminates sources funding groups mcfl members additional requirements government informational interest campaign disclosure reasons given justified interests identified federal election commission although organizational solicitation restrictions invariably insurmountable burden speech see fec national right work committee case government failed show groups mcfl pose danger justify infringement core political expression basis join judgment unconstitutional applied mcfl chief justice rehnquist justice white justice blackmun justice stevens join concurring part dissenting part fec national right work committee nrwc unanimously endorsed legislative judgment special characteristics corporate structure require particularly careful regulation continue believe judgment reflected constitutionally sound entitled substantial deference therefore dissent decision legislative determination need prophylactic measures corruption evil feared though agree expenditures case violated terms accordingly join parts ii opinion accept conclusion statutory provisions unconstitutional applied appellee massachusetts citizens life mcfl recognizes segregated fund requirements simply contemporary chapter long history regulation corporate political activity ante see nrwc supra automobile workers approving sort regulation decisions found least two legitimate concerns arising corporate campaign spending first predecessors enacted rid political process corruption appearance corruption accompany contributions expenditures candidates corporate funds see nrwc supra first national bank boston bellotti automobile workers supra second regulation serves protect interests individuals pay money corporation union purposes support candidates public office see nrwc supra pipefitters cio light special advantages state confers corporate form fec national conservative political action committee ncpac considered dangers sufficient justify restrictions corporate political activity see also california medical assn fec rejecting teachings earlier decisions nrwc supra judgment congress confidently concludes dangers present groups mcfl assures us pose potential unfair deployment wealth political purposes ante mcfl formed disseminate political ideas told money spends least form independent expenditures reflects political ideas stands without threat appearance corruption ante find need protect interests contributors mcfl requiring establishment separate segregated fund political expenditures individual contributors simply withhold contributions disagree corporation choices continue give protected requiring notice money might used political purposes ante dispute threat corporate political activity vary depending particular characteristics given corporation obvious large successful corporations resources fund political war chest constitute potent threat political process less successful business corporations nonprofit corporations may also supporting nonbusiness corporations identify corporations political views frequently average shareholder general motors support political activities corporation distinctions among corporations however distinctions degree amount differences kind buckley valeo per curiam cf ncpac supra properly drawn legislature judiciary see buckley supra congress expressed judgment threat posed corporate political activity warrants prophylactic measure applicable groups organize corporate form previous cases expressed reluctance judgments adhere counsel thought distinctions drawn today largely foreclosed decision nrwc supra considered requirement separate segregated funds solicit members corporation whose fund issue unlike mcfl nonprofit corporation without capital stock formed educate public issue perceived public significance see nrwc asked adopt broad definition members solicitations involved neither corrupt officials coerce members corporation holding minority political views difficulty concluding approach unnecessary judgment congress regulate corporate political activity entitled considerable deference significantly declined invitation modify statute account characteristics different corporations restricts solicitation corporations labor unions without great resources well fortunately situated accept congress judgment potential influence demands regulation legislative determination need prophylactic measures corruption evil feared saw reason governmental interest preventing actual corruption appearance corruption accomplished treating unions corporations similar organizations differently individuals distinction corporate noncorporate activity diminished ncpac supra found fatally overbroad limitation independent expenditures political committees conclusion rested part fact regulated corporations rather indiscriminately lump ed corporations committee association organization ncpac ncpac accordingly continued recognize today acceptable distinction grounded judgment political branch political activity corporate actors organizations benefiting corporate shield state granted corporations form quid pro quo various regulations citizens rent control berkeley rehnquist concurring explains decisions nrwc ncpac reference another distinction found decisions contributions independent expenditures see buckley supra admittedly distinction facts nrwc ncpac warrant different result view longstanding approval limitations corporate spending type regulation involved distinction contributions independent expenditures line separating black white statute though involving independent expenditures nearly drastic wholesale restriction clearly protected conduct issue ncpac supra regulates instead form otherwise unregulated spending separate segregated fund formed mcfl may use contributions receives without limit political expenditures correctly notes regulation without burdens remains wholly different character condemned ncpac circumstances defer congressional judgment corporations distinct category respect sort regulation constitutionally permissible basically legislative character decision dramatically illustrated effort carve constitutional niche roups mcfl ante test gratuitously announced today dicta ante adds prohibition vague barely adumbrated exception certain result confusion costly litigation sat council revision modify legislative judgments hesitate join effort fact alone sit capacity obliged leave drawing lines cases congress lines within constitutional bounds believing act congress question passes test dissent contrary conclusion justice white joining chief justice opinion adheres dissenting views expressed buckley valeo first national bank bellotti fec national conservative political action committee course clear congress intended apply corporations like mcfl section makes unlawful corporation make contribution expenditure connection certain federal elections emphasis added provisions statutory scheme make clear corporations without capital stock within regulatory sphere see accordingly case statutory construction rather one rejects judgment congress regulation appropriate cf cio found unconstitutional regulation restricted corporate political activity first national bank boston bellotti noted fec national right work committee decision bellotti consider validity laws like aimed threat corruption candidate elections see bellotti supra corporation may use treasury money pay fund administrative costs solicit contributions fund every dollar contributions available political purposes statutory scheme issue case require us consider validity direct absolute limitation independent expenditures corporations