US Supreme Court rejects corporate spending limit in campaigns

The US Supreme Court on Thursday overturned laws that had been in effect for decades preventing corporations from using their money for political campaign ads.

"This Court now concludes that independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption," ruled Justice Anthony Kennedy.

''That speakers may have influence over or access to elected officials does not mean that those officials are corrupt. And the appearance of influence or access will not cause the electorate to lose faith in this democracy," he said.

The 5-4 vote will also allow labour unions to participate more freely in campaigns.

''Government may not suppress political speech on the basis of the speaker's corporate identity,'' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 57-page majority opinion. ''No sufficient governmental interest justifies limits on the political speech of nonprofit or for-profit corporations.''

Earlier, independent expenditures made by corporations, trade associations, unions and nonprofits in the run-up to elections were restricted. These groups could not spend money on advertisements in the 30 days prior to a primary election and within 60 days before the general election.