From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Campaign Finance Reform Violates Free Speech Rights Charges U.S. Chamber (1999)

Killing a few birds with one stone here. The Chamber is the largest lobbyists in the US, and here they are advocating the position that spending in political campaigns falls under the "free speech" clause of the Constitution. Meaning that limits on campaign spending also limits speech.

- Click here for the page.

Congressional efforts to limit campaign spending by business are unconstitutional, said the United States Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Bruce Josten at a press conference with other business groups on the steps of the Supreme Court today.

"The Constitution protects the right of individuals and groups under the First Amendment," said Josten. "Congressional attempts to regulate or limit issue advocacy infringes on our Constitutional right of free speech. In the electronic age of costly television advertising, limiting spending is the same as muzzling a group's right to be heard."

Concerns about undue influence can be resolved by requiring a full and timely disclosure of contributions, rather than limiting the right to speak out, Josten noted. The Chamber supports reasonable provisions for disclosure by committees, organizations and candidates of political campaign contributions and expenditures.

Campaign contribution limits were set at $1,000 in 1974 and have never been adjusted for inflation. Soft money contributions have grown over the years, because the cap on campaign contributions is unreasonably low, Josten added.

"What's needed is not more regulation, but less," said Josten. "Do away with limits on individual and PAC contributions, but require complete and immediate disclosure. With the Internet, full and timely disclosure will create greater accountability to the public. Other restrictions on campaign contributions will then become unnecessary."