The United States Supreme Court upheld many of the provisions of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance-reform bill, meant to limit the influence of donations in federal politics. The new law prevents corporations, trade unions and interest groups from airing broadcast ads that name candidates 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election. By a 5-4 vote, the Supremes declared this and other portions of the law constitutional.
"The decision by the Supreme Court will cause substantial changes in the manner in which federal candidates utilize broadcasting to reach the voters. This is a complex 300-page opinion that will require extensive evaluation before its full impact is understood," said NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts in a prepared statement after the vote.