davis federal election commission argued april decided june limits amount contributions house representatives candidate authorized committee may receive individual amount party may devote coordinated campaign expenditures normally apply equally competitors seat authorized committees however bipartisan campaign reform act bcra part millionaire amendment fundamentally alters scheme result candidate expenditure personal funds opposition personal funds amount opfa exceeds opfa statistic comparing competing candidates personal expenditures taking account certain fundraising candidate personal expenditure causes opfa pass new asymmetrical regulatory scheme comes play candidate remains subject normal limitations opponent candidate may receive individual contributions treble normal limit individuals reached normal limit aggregate contributions may accept coordinated party expenditures without limit see calculating opfa requires certain information candidate campaign assets personal expenditures requires file initial declaration intent revealing amount personal funds candidate intends spend excess make additional disclosures candidates national parties federal election commission fec personal expenditures exceed certain benchmarks appellant davis candidate house seat lost times incumbent notified fec election compliance intended spend million personal funds fec informed reason believe violated failing report personal expenditures campaign filed suit declaration unconstitutional injunction preventing fec enforcing section election district concluded sua sponte davis standing rejected claims merits granted fec summary judgment held jurisdiction hear davis appeal pp davis standing challenge disclosure requirements filed suit already declared candidacy forced disclose opponent intended spend personal funds also faced imminent threat follow disclosure notifications passed mark securing declaration unconstitutional injunction enforcement spared making disclosures also removed real threat fec pursue enforcement action based alleged violations campaign davis also standing challenge asymmetrical contribution limits standing inquiry focuses whether party invoking jurisdiction requisite stake outcome suit filed see friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc party facing prospective injury standing threatened injury real immediate direct see los angeles lyons davis faced requisite injury filed suit already declared candidacy intent spend personal funds general election campaign whose onset rapidly approaching section shortly burden personal expenditure allowing opponent receive contributions favorable terms indication opponent forgo opportunity pp fec argument lacks jurisdiction davis claims moot also fails federal election wisconsin right life wrtl rejected similar claim mootness finding case fit comfortably within established exception mootness disputes capable repetition yet evading review exception applies challenged action duration short fully litigated prior cessation expiration reasonable expectation complaining party subject action ibid first despite bcra command case expedited greatest possible extent davis request case resolved election case resolved election see second fec conceded davis claim capable repetition planned another bid house seat subsequently made public statement expressing intent see pp sections violate first amendment elevated contribution limits applied across board candidates davis constitutional basis challenging section however raises limits candidates candidate expenditure personal funds causes opfa threshold exceeded never upheld constitutionality law imposes different contribution limits candidates competing agrees davis scheme impermissibly burdens first amendment right spend money campaign speech buckley valeo soundly rejected cap candidate expenditure personal funds finance campaign speech holding candidate first amendment right vigorously tirelessly advocate election cap personal expenditures imposes substantial clea direc restraint right found cap issue justified primary governmental interest prevention actual apparent corruption political process ancillary interest equalizing relative financial resources candidates competing elective office buckley instructive bcra impose cap candidate expenditure personal funds imposes unprecedented penalty candidate robustly exercises first amendment right requiring choose right engage unfettered political speech subjection discriminatory fundraising limitations resulting drag first amendment rights constitutional simply attaches consequence statutorily imposed choice distinguished burden justified governmental interest eliminating corruption perception corruption see interest leveling electoral opportunities candidates different personal wealth justify asymmetrical limits see never recognized interest legitimate objective ominous implications voters authority evaluate strengths candidates competing office finally rejects government argument justified ameliorates deleterious effects resulting tight limits federal election law places individual campaign contributions coordinated party expenditures whatever argument merits original matter fundamentally war buckley analysis expenditure contributions limits applied subsequent cases pp unconstitutional disclosure requirements designed implement asymmetrical contribution limits well ompelled disclosure seriously infringe privacy association belief guaranteed first amendment buckley closely scrutinizes requirements significant encroachments survive must correlation relation governmental interest information required disclosed governmental interest must reflect seriousness burden first amendment rights ibid given unconstitutionality burden imposed requirements justified supp reversed remanded alito delivered opinion roberts scalia kennedy thomas joined stevens souter ginsburg breyer joined part ii stevens filed opinion concurring part dissenting part souter ginsburg breyer joined part ii ginsburg filed opinion concurring part dissenting part breyer joined jack davis appellant federal election commission appeal district district columbia june justice alito delivered opinion justice stevens justice souter justice ginsburg justice breyer joined part ii appeal consider constitutionality federal election law provisions certain circumstances impose different campaign contribution limits candidates competing congressional seat federal law limits amount money candidate house representatives candidate authorized committee may receive individual well amount candidate party may devote coordinated campaign expenditures ed usual circumstances restrictions apply competitors seat authorized committees contributions individual donors election cycle subject cap currently set see fed reg addition funds may accepted individual whose aggregate contributions candidates committees election cycle reached legal limit currently see fed reg candidate also may accept general election coordinated expenditures national state political party committees exceed imposed limit see currently limit candidates one house seat fed reg section bipartisan campaign reform act bcra stat part millionaire amendment fundamentally alters scheme result candidate expenditure personal funds opposition personal funds amount opfa exceeds opfa simple terms statistic compares expenditure personal funds competing candidates also takes account degree certain see candidate expenditure personal funds causes opfa pass mark convenience candidates referred new asymmetrical regulatory scheme comes play candidate remains subject limitations noted candidate opponent candidate may receive individual contributions treble normal limit rather current even individuals reached normal aggregate contributions cap may accept coordinated party expenditures without limit see candidate receipts exceed opfa prior limits revived candidate spend contributions received asymmetrical limits must return order calculate opfa certain information needed candidate campaign assets personal expenditures section thus requires candidates make three types disclosures first within days entering race candidate must file eclaration intent revealing amount personal funds candidate intends spend excess candidate intend cross threshold may simply declare intent spend personal funds cfr second within hours crossing becoming obligated cross mark candidate must file nitial notification third candidate must file dditional notification within hours making becoming obligated make additional expenditure using personal funds initial additional notifications must provide date amount expenditure personal funds notifications must filed federal election commission fec candidates seat national parties candidates failure comply reporting requirements may result civil criminal penalties candidate candidate committee face less extensive disclosure requirements within hours receiving initial additional notification filed opponent candidate must provide notice fec national state committees candidate party candidate concludes based newly acquired information opfa passed mark cfr addition additional contributions candidate authorized receive pursuant asymmetrical limitations scheme equals opfa candidate must notify fec appropriate national state committees within hours ii candidate must also provide notice regarding refunds excess funds funds received increased limits used campaign part political parties must notify fec candidate support within hours making expenditures exceed normal limit coordinated party expenditures appellant jack davis democratic candidate house representatives new york congressional district elections lost incumbent brief davis discloses spent million principally funds campaign brief appellant reports spending million came personal funds opponent spent personal funds indeed although opfa calculation provided opportunity davis opponent raise nearly million asymmetrical limits davis opponent adhered normal contribution limits davis candidacy began march filed fec statement candidacy compliance declared intended spend million personal funds general election two months later anticipation expenditure consequences davis filed suit fec requesting declared unconstitutional fec enjoined enforcing election davis declared candidacy filed suit fec general counsel notified reason believe violated failing report personal expenditures campaign fec proposed conciliation agreement davis pay substantial civil penalty davis responded agreeing toll limitations period fec enforcement action resolution suit davis filed action district district columbia panel convened bcra stat note following davis requested case decided general election campaign began september fec opposed request asserting need extensive discovery request denied ultimately parties filed summary judgment ruling motions district began addressing davis standing sua sponte concluded davis standing rejected claims merits granted summary judgment fec supp davis invoked bcra exclusive avenue appellate review direct appeal note following deferred full consideration jurisdiction reverse ii like district must first ensure jurisdiction hear davis appeal article iii restricts federal courts resolution cases controversies arizonans official english arizona restriction requires party invoking federal jurisdiction standing personal interest must exist commencement litigation friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc internal quotation marks omitted enough requisite interest exist outset qualify case fit adjudication actual controversy must extant stages review merely time complaint filed arizonans official english supra fec argues davis appeal fails present constitutional case controversy davis lacks standing claims moot address issues turn noted requirement claimant standing essential unchanging part requirement article iii lujan defenders wildlife see also arizonans official english supra qualify standing claimant must present injury concrete particularized actual imminent fairly traceable defendant challenged behavior likely redressed favorable ruling lujan supra district held parties dispute davis possesses standing challenge disclosure requirements davis filed suit already declared candidacy forced disclose opponent intended spend personal funds time davis faced imminent threat follow disclosure notifications fact passed mark securing declaration requirements unconstitutional injunction enforcement spared making disclosures relief also removed real threat fec pursue enforcement action based alleged violations campaign result davis possesses standing challenge disclosure requirement fact davis standing challenge necessarily mean also standing challenge scheme contribution limitations applies comes play tanding dispensed gross lewis casey rather plaintiff must demonstrate standing claim seeks press form sought daimlerchrysler cuno quoting friends earth supra light principles fec argues davis lacks standing attack asymmetrical limits davis commenced action opponent yet qualified asymmetrical limits later opponent qualify take advantage limits chose accordingly fec argues cause davis injury proof required establish standing increases suit proceeds see lujan supra standing inquiry remains focused whether party invoking jurisdiction requisite stake outcome suit filed friends earth supra arizonans official english supra noted injury required standing need actualized party facing prospective injury standing sue threatened injury real immediate direct los angeles lyons see also babbitt farm workers plaintiff may challenge prospective operation statute presents realistic impending threat direct injury davis faced injury operation filed suit davis declared candidacy intent spend personal funds general election campaign whose onset rapidly approaching section shortly burden expenditure personal funds allowing opponent receive contributions favorable terms indication opponent forgo opportunity indeed record summary judgment indicated candidates opportunity receive expanded contributions done app circumstances conclude davis faced requisite injury filed suit standing challenge provision asymmetrical contribution scheme fec mootness argument also fails case closely resembles federal election wisconsin right life wisconsin right life wrtl nonprofit ideological advocacy corporation wished run radio tv ads within days washington primary contrary restriction imposed bcra wrtl sued fec seeking declaratory injunctive relief although suit resolved election rejected fec claim mootness finding case fit comfortably within established exception mootness disputes capable repetition yet evading review slip exception applies challenged action duration short fully litigated prior cessation expiration reasonable expectation complaining party subject action ibid quoting spencer kemna wrtl despite bcra command cas expedited greatest possible extent wrtl claims reasonably resolved election concluded slip quoting stat note following similarly case despite bcra mandate expedite davis request case resolved general election season commenced davis case resolved election concluded demonstrating claims capable evading review second prong exception even though wrtl raised challenge found suit capable repetition wrtl credibly claimed planned running similar future ads subject bcra prohibition fact sought injunction permit ad election slip internal quotation marks omitted fec conceded brief davis claim capable repetition davis planned another bid house seat brief appellee davis subsequently made public statement expressing intent see reply brief citing terreri democrat davis confirms run congress rochester democrat chronicle mar result satisfied davis facial challenge iii turn merits davis claim first amendment violated contribution limits apply comes play scheme previously noted candidate spends personal funds creates statute apparently regards financial imbalance candidate opponent may qualify receive larger individual contributions otherwise allowed unlimited coordinated party expenditures davis contends unconstitutionally burdens exercise first amendment right make unlimited expenditures personal funds making expenditures create imbalance effect enabling opponent raise money use money finance speech counteracts thus diminishes effectiveness davis speech simply raised contribution limits candidates davis argument plainly fail previously sustained facial constitutionality limits discrete aggregate individual contributions coordinated party expenditures buckley valeo per curiam federal election colorado republican federal campaign colorado ii time recognized limits implicate first amendment interests stand unless closely drawn serve sufficiently important interest preventing corruption appearance corruption see mcconnell federal election colorado ii supra nixon shrink missouri government pac buckley supra contribution limits challenged restrictive extended measure deference judgment legislative body enacted law see randall sorrell plurality opinion nixon supra buckley supra held limits low stand randall supra alito concurring part concurring judgment however constitutional basis attacking contribution limits ground high congress constitutional obligation limit contributions congress concludes allowing contributions certain amount create undue risk corruption appearance corruption candidate wishes restrict opponent fundraising argue constitution demands contributions regulated strictly consequently elevated contribution limits applied across board davis basis challenging limits section however raise contribution limits across board rather raises limits candidate candidate expenditure personal funds causes opfa threshold exceeded never upheld constitutionality law imposes different contribution limits candidates competing agree davis scheme impermissibly burdens first amendment right spend money campaign speech buckley soundly rejected cap candidate expenditure personal funds finance campaign speech held candidate first amendment right engage discussion public issues vigorously tirelessly advocate election cap personal expenditures imposes substantial clea direc restraint right found cap issue justified primary governmental interest proffered defense prevention actual apparent corruption political process far preventing evils use personal funds observed reduces candidate dependence outside contributions thereby counteracts coercive pressures attendant risks abuse contribution limitations directed ibid also rejected argument expenditure cap justified ground served ancillary interest equalizing relative financial resources candidates competing elective office putative interest noted clearly sufficient justify infringement fundamental first amendment rights ibid buckley emphasis fundamental nature right spend personal funds campaign speech instructive bcra impose cap candidate expenditure personal funds imposes unprecedented penalty candidate robustly exercises first amendment right section requires candidate choose first amendment right engage unfettered political speech subjection discriminatory fundraising limitations many candidates afford make large personal expenditures support campaigns may choose despite must shoulder special potentially significant burden make choice see day holahan concluding minnesota law increased candidate expenditure limits eligibility public funds based independent expenditures candidacy burdened speech making independent expenditures brief appellee conceding impose consequences candidate choice beyond certain amounts vigorous exercise right use personal funds finance campaign speech produces fundraising advantages opponents competitive context electoral politics cf pacific gas elec public util plurality opinion finding infringement speech rights plaintiff spoke forced help disseminate hostile views resulting drag first amendment rights constitutional simply attaches consequence statutorily imposed choice buckley held congress may engage public financing election campaigns may condition acceptance public funds agreement candidate abide specified expenditure limitations even though found independent limit overall campaign expenditures unconstitutional see choice involved buckley quite different choice imposed buckley candidate forgoing public financing retain unfettered right make unlimited personal expenditures provide way candidate exercise right without abridgment instead candidate wishes exercise right two choices abide limit personal expenditures endure burden placed right activation scheme discriminatory contribution limits choice imposed remotely parallel buckley imposes substantial burden exercise first amendment right use personal funds campaign speech provision stand unless justified compelling state interest federal election massachusetts citizens life see also mcconnell austin michigan chamber commerce scalia dissenting kennedy dissenting federal election national conservative political action first nat bank boston bellotti colorado republican federal campaign comm federal election principal opinion colorado thomas concurring judgment dissenting part justification present burden imposed expenditure personal funds justified governmental interest eliminating corruption perception corruption buckley reasoned reliance personal funds reduces threat corruption therefore discouraging use personal funds disserves anticorruption interest similarly given congress judgment liberalized limits candidates unduly imperil anticorruption interests hard imagine denial liberalized limits candidates regarded serving anticorruption goals sufficiently justify resulting constitutional burden government maintains asymmetrical limits justified level electoral opportunities candidates different personal wealth brief appellee congress enacted section government writes reduce natural advantage wealthy individuals possess campaigns federal office emphasis added prior decisions however provide support proposition legitimate government objective see nixon thomas dissenting reventing corruption appearance corruption legitimate compelling government interests thus far identified restricting campaign quoting national conservative political action supra randall thomas concurring judgment noting interests recognized compelling prevention corruption appearance thereof contrary buckley held interest equalizing financial resources candidates provide justification restricting candidates overall campaign expenditures particularly equalization might serve handicap candidate lacked substantial name recognition exposure views start campaign similarly held interest equalizing relative ability individuals groups influence outcome elections support cap expenditures express advocacy election defeat candidates concept government may restrict speech elements society order enhance relative voice others wholly foreign first amendment see also mcconnell supra noting assessing standing legal right resources influence electoral process cf austin supra kennedy dissenting rejecting antithetical first amendment notion government legitimate interest restricting quantity speech equalize relative influence speakers elections argument candidate speech may restricted order level electoral opportunities ominous implications permit congress arrogate voters authority evaluate strengths candidates competing office see bellotti supra people democracy entrusted responsibility judging evaluating relative merits conflicting arguments may consider making judgment source credibility advocate different candidates different strengths wealthy others wealthy supporters willing make large contributions celebrities benefit family name leveling electoral opportunities means making implementing judgments strengths permitted contribute outcome election constitution however confers upon voters congress power choose members house representatives art dangerous business congress use election laws influence voters choices see bellotti overnment forbidden assume task ultimate judgment lest people lose ability govern finally government contends justified ameliorates deleterious effects result tight limits federal election law places individual campaign contributions coordinated party expenditures limits argued make harder candidates wealthy raise funds therefore provide substantial advantage wealthy candidates accordingly seen legislative effort interfere natural operation electoral process legislative effort mitigate untoward consequences congress handiwork restore normal relationship candidate financial resources level popular support candidacy brief appellee whatever merits argument original matter fundamentally war analysis expenditure contributions limits adopted buckley applied subsequent cases advantage wealthy candidates enjoy seeks reduce advantage flows directly buckley disparate treatment expenditures contributions approach sound government urge us hold hard see undoing consequences decision viewed compelling interest normally applicable limits individual contributions coordinated party contributions seriously distorting electoral process feeding public perception wealthy people buy seats congress brief appellee limits needed order combat corruption obvious remedy raise eliminate limits unprecedented step imposing different contribution coordinated party expenditure limits candidates vying seat antithetical first amendment iv remaining issue must consider constitutionality disclosure requirements repeatedly found compelled disclosure seriously infringe privacy association belief guaranteed first amendment buckley result closely scrutinized disclosure requirements including requirements governing independent expenditures made individuals political speech survive scrutiny significant encroachments justified mere showing legitimate governmental interest instead must correlation relation governmental interest information required disclosed governmental interest must survive exacting scrutiny ibid footnotes omitted strength governmental interest must reflect seriousness actual burden first amendment rights disclosure requirements designed implement asymmetrical contribution limits provided discussed violates first amendment light holding burden imposed requirements justified follows sum hold violate first amendment judgment district reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered appendix bcra provides availability increased limit general subject paragraph opposition personal funds amount respect candidate election office representative delegate resident commissioner congress exceeds limit subsection respect candidate shall tripled limit subsection shall apply respect contribution made respect candidate contribution made increased limit allowed subparagraph period candidate may accept contribution limits subsection respect expenditure state national committee political party behalf candidate shall apply determination opposition personal funds amount general opposition personal funds amount amount equal excess greatest aggregate amount expenditures personal funds defined subsection section opposing candidate election makes ii aggregate amount expenditures personal funds made candidate respect election special rule candidate campaign funds general purposes determining aggregate amount expenditures personal funds subparagraph amount shall include gross receipts advantage candidate authorized committee ii gross receipts advantage purposes clause term gross receipts advantage means excess aggregate amount percent gross receipts candidate authorized committee election cycle including contributions personal funds candidate may expended connection election determined june december year preceding year general election held ii aggregate amount percent gross receipts opposing candidate authorized committee election cycle including contributions personal funds candidate may expended connection election determined june december year preceding year general election held time accept contributions increased limit general subject subparagraph candidate candidate authorized committee shall accept contribution party committee shall make expenditure increased limit paragraph candidate received notification opposition personal funds amount subsection section ii extent contribution added aggregate amount contributions previously accepted party expenditures previously made increased limits subsection election cycle exceeds percent opposition personal funds amount effect withdrawal opposing candidate candidate candidate authorized committee shall accept contribution party shall make expenditure increased limit date opposing candidate ceases candidate extent amount increased limit attributable opposing candidate disposal excess contributions general aggregate amount contributions accepted candidate candidate authorized committee increased limit paragraph otherwise expended connection election respect contributions relate shall later days date election used manner described subparagraph return contributors candidate candidate authorized committee shall return excess contribution person made contribution notification expenditures personal funds general definition expenditure personal funds paragraph term expenditure personal funds means expenditure made candidate using personal funds ii contribution loan made candidate using personal funds loan secured using funds candidate authorized committee declaration intent later date days date individual becomes candidate office representative delegate resident commissioner congress candidate shall file declaration stating total amount expenditures personal funds candidate intends make obligate make respect election exceed initial notification later hours candidate described subparagraph makes obligates make aggregate amount expenditures personal funds excess connection election candidate shall file notification additional notification candidate files initial notification subparagraph candidate shall file additional notification time expenditures personal funds made obligated made aggregate amount exceeds notification shall filed later hours expenditure made contents notification subparagraph shall include name candidate office sought candidate ii date amount expenditure iii total amount expenditures personal funds candidate made obligated make respect election date expenditure subject notification place filing declaration notification required filed candidate subparagraph shall filed commission ii candidate election national party candidate notification disposal excess contributions next regularly scheduled report date election candidate seeks nomination election election federal office candidate candidate authorized committee shall submit commission report indicating source amount excess contributions determined subsection section manner candidate candidate authorized committee used funds enforcement provisions providing enforcement reporting requirements subsection see section title footnotes omitted jack davis appellant federal election commission appeal district district columbia june justice stevens justice souter justice ginsburg justice breyer join part ii concurring part dissenting part millionaire amendment bipartisan campaign reform act bcra stat ed product congressional judgment candidates willing able spend money seeking election congress enjoy advantage opponents must rely contributions finance campaigns reduce advantage combat perception congressional seats sale highest bidder congress relaxed restrictions otherwise limit amount contributions opponents candidates may accept supporters thorough opinion district held millionaire amendment impose burden whatsoever candidate freedom speak violate first amendment diminish unequal strength candidate violate equal protection component fifth amendment agree completely district opinion specifically adherence decision mcconnell federal election affirm reasons given district believe appropriate add additional comments premise underlies constitutional prohibition expenditure limitations reasons concluding millionaire amendment represents modest sensible plainly constitutional attempt congress minimize advantages enjoyed wealthy candidates must rely support others fund pursuit public office according decision buckley valeo per curiam vice condemns expenditure limitations impose direct quantity restrictions political limitation amount money candidate permitted spend buckley concluded reduces quantity expression restricting number issues discussed depth exploration size audience reached accordingly determined regulation quantity money spent campaigns office viewed direct regulation speech justice white firmly disagreed buckley holding expenditure limitations explaining regulations analyzed direct restrictions speech rather akin time place manner regulations upheld long purposes serve legitimate sufficiently substantial opinion concurring part dissenting part although participate decision buckley since persuaded justice white maintained steadfast opposition buckley view expenditure limits see federal election national conservative political action dissenting opinion correct indeed buckley represented break years established practice well probable departure views framers relevant provisions constitution see randall sorrell stevens dissenting view number purposes legitimate substantial may justify imposition reasonable limitations expenditures permitted course single campaign one limitations free candidates staffs interminable burden fundraising colorado republican federal campaign comm federal election stevens dissenting moreover imposition reasonable limitations likely salutary effect improving quality exposition ideas orderly debate always enlightening shouting match awards points basis decibels rather reasons quantity limitations commonplace number contexts speech occurs litigants pressing issues utmost importance nation allowed fixed time oral debate maximum number pages written argument listeners readers judges need time reflect merits issue repetitious arguments disfavored usually especially unpersuasive indeed experts art advocacy agree lawyers go long help case seems congress entitled make judgment voters deserve courtesy opportunity reflect judges flooding airwaves slogans may well obscure issues enlighten listeners least context elections notion rules limiting quantity speech offensive first amendment rules limiting content speech plainly come believe congress attempt reduce millionaire candidate advantage imposing reasonable limits candidates expenditures follows fortiori eminently reasonable scheme us today survives constitutional scrutiny ii even accepting buckley holding expenditure limits uniquely incompatible first amendment remains firm conviction millionaire amendment represents attempt congress regulate within bounds constitution one particularly pernicious feature many contemporary political gainsaid twin rationales heart millionaire amendment reducing importance wealth criterion public office countering perception seats congress available purchase wealthiest bidder important government interests also evident congress enacting provision crafted solution carefully tailored concerns davis insists however government interests insufficiently weighty justify believes intrusions upon rights first amendment equal protection component fifth amendment regardless strength justifications offered congress solution sufficiently tailored addressing twin concerns identified arguments unpersuasive counts thrust davis first amendment challenge relaxing contribution limits applicable opponent candidate millionaire amendment punishes candidate chooses extrapolating nature political race davis insists benefit conferred upon opponent thereby works detriment candidate accordingly argues scheme burdens candidate first amendment right speak freely participate fully political process davis show millionaire amendment causes candidate first amendment injury whatsoever millionaire amendment quiets speech contrary assist opponent candidate attempts make voice heard amplification way mutes voice millionaire remains able speak loud long likes support campaign enhancing speech millionaire opponent far contravening first amendment actually advances core principles one candidate make heard voter ability make informed choice candidate ability engage meaningfully political process way undermined even credit davis view benefit conferred candidate opponent burdens first amendment rights purposes amendment surely justify effects simply wrong suggests governmental interest eliminating corruption perception corruption ante sole governmental interest sufficient support campaign finance regulations see ante true course upholding federal election campaign act feca limits size contributions political campaigns buckley held preventing actual corruption appearance corruption government interests sufficient weight justified infringement upon first amendment freedoms resulted feca contribution limits explained extent large contributions given secure political quid pro quo current potential office holders integrity system representative democracy undermined almost equal concern impact appearance corruption stemming public awareness opportunities abuse inherent regime large individual financial contributions also true found interest insufficient justify feca expenditure limitations follow buckley concluded interest combating corruption appearance corruption justify congressional regulation campaign financing indeed long recognized strength independent governmental interest reducing influence wealth outcomes elections appearance wealth alone dictates results case case held statutes designed protect undue influence aggregations wealth political process statutes responsive identified evil contravene first amendment see austin michigan chamber commerce upholding statute designed combat corrosive distorting effects immense aggregations wealth accumulated help corporate form little correlation public support corporation political ideas federal election massachusetts citizens life th concern corrosive influence concentrated corporate wealth reflects conviction important protect integrity marketplace political ideas direct corporate spending political activity raises prospect resources amassed economic marketplace may used provide unfair advantage political marketplace cf red lion broadcasting fcc upholding constitutionality several components fcc fair coverage requirements explaining purpose first amendment preserve uninhibited marketplace ideas truth ultimately prevail rather countenance monopolization market although focus cases aggregations corporate rather individual wealth reason logic specifically concerns corrosive distorting effects wealth political process equally applicable context individual wealth explained mcconnell congress historical concern potentialities wealth consequences democratic process long reached beyond corporate money quoting automobile workers minimizing effect concentrated wealth political process concomitant interest addressing dangers attend perception political power purchased therefore sufficiently weighty objectives justify significant congressional action congress motivated proper weighty goals crafting millionaire amendment details scheme devised genuinely responsive problems identified statute opposition personal funds amount formula permits candidate spend much money wishes taking account fundraising relevant campaigns thereby ensures candidate happens enjoy significant fundraising advantage opponent reap windfall result enhanced contribution limits rather opponent may avail enhanced contribution limits parity achieved point becomes ineligible contributions normal maximum see seems uncontroversial good reason allow disparities wealth translated disparities political power democracy distinguishes market processes purchase sale one hand political processes voting sunstein political equality unintended consequences colum rev light clear truth congress carefully crafted attempt reduce distinct advantages enjoyed wealthy candidates congressional office offend first amendment davis equal protection argument finds unnecessary address ante fares better claims permitting opponent avail increased contribution limits statute creates unwarranted disparity opponent explained mcconnell congress fully entitled consider differences crafting system campaign finance regulation buckley acknowledged course upholding feca public financing scheme constitution require congress treat declared candidates blinks reality contend millionaire candidate situated identically nonmillionaire opponent congress obligation indulge fiction accordingly davis failed establish deprived equal protection guarantees fifth amendment iii sum share judge wright view nothing constitution prevents us political community making certain modest important changes kind process want selecting political leaders wright politics constitution money speech yale judgment millionaire amendment represents change therefore respectfully dissent jack davis appellant federal election commission appeal district district columbia june justice ginsburg justice breyer joins concurring part dissenting part agreeing appellant jack davis standing case moot join part ii opinion merits however part ways district careful persuasive opinion see correctly concluded provisions challenged case entirely consistent buckley valeo per curiam relevant decisions therefore join part ii justice stevens opinion resist joining portions justice stevens opinion however extent address buckley distinction expenditure contribution limits correspondingly buckley holding expenditure limits impose direct quantity restrictions political communication appellee federal election commission asked us overrule buckley consequently issue briefed convinced challenged statute encounters constitutional shoal precedents leave reconsideration buckley later day case footnotes undesignated references opinion edition limits adjusted inflation every two years bcra set appendix opinion although refer actually federal election campaign act added act bcra follow convention parties making reference bcra similarly regulates senate bids stat opfa calculated follows candidate expenditures personal funds added funds raised election issue measured designated dates year preceding election resulting figures compared difference greater asymmetrical limits take effect see light conclusion need decide whether threat fec enforcement action alleged violations sufficient keep controversy alive even characterized limit contributions rather expenditures doubtful whether survive contribution limit involving significant interference associational must closely drawn serve sufficiently important interest mcconnell federal election reasons explained infra chief interest proffered support asymmetrical contribution scheme leveling electoral opportunities justify infringement first amendment interests justice stevens revisit reject buckley treatment expenditure limits post opinion concurring part dissenting part government urged us take step event justice stevens proposal unsound suggests restricting quantity campaign speech improve quality speech dangerous government regulate core political speech asserted purpose improving speech event reason suppose restricting quantity campaign speech desired effect conclude violate first amendment need address davis claim also violate equal protection component fifth amendment due process clause footnotes buckley invalidated two different types limits campaign expenditures limits amount personal family resources candidate spend campaign overall limits campaign expenditures judgment mistaken striking provisions treat together brust voice write tips making case supremely reliable source may interview justice scalia bryan garner course correct dangerous government regulate core political speech asserted purpose improving speech ante campaign expenditures core political speech merely may enable speech well repetition ad nauseam judgment simply case first amendment provides measure protection use money enable speech speech nixon shrink missouri government pac stevens concurring note outset discussion however agree conclusion davis standing challenge case moot therefore join part ii opinion republic people sovereign ability citizenry make informed choices among candidates office essential identities elected inevitably shape course follow nation buckley valeo per curiam retains choice structure campaign funding pleases may choose fund campaign subject limitations whatsoever still accept limited donations supporters alternatively may forgo rely contributions alone level opponent neither event engagement political process sense impeded