Chamber Applauds Supreme Court Decision in Grassroots Free Speech Case

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc., protecting grassroots lobbying from unconstitutional government restrictions.

"This decision is a clear vindication of the rights of all Americans – including the private sector – to speak out and publicly petition their government. The U.S. Chamber proudly exercises that right on behalf of its members, and this decision allows us to communicate freely on critical legislative issues, regardless of when during the election cycle they occur," said Steven J. Law, the Chamber's chief legal officer and general counsel.

In this case, Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. planned to run a series of ads urging Wisconsin residents to contact their senators to oppose judicial filibusters. However, a Wisconsin senator was up for reelection and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act was applied, which bans corporate speech on television or radio 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election. An opposite decision in this case could have severely impacted the Chamber's ability to speak on critical legislative issues during this blackout period.

For interviews today and further background information, please contact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Press Office at (202) 463-5682.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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