Institute for Free Speech explained

Institute for Free Speech
Formation:2005
Founder:Bradley A. Smith
Purpose:"To defend the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition."[1] [2] [3]
Location:Washington, D.C.
Region:United States
Formerly:Center for Competitive Politics

The Institute for Free Speech (IFS), formerly called the Center for Competitive Politics, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.[4] [5] [6] IFS' stated mission is to "promote and defend the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government through strategic litigation, communication, activism, training, research, and education."[7] It has worked to oppose limits on political donations and other campaign regulations.[8] [9] [10]

History

The Center for Competitive Politics was founded in 2005 by former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith, a 2000 Clinton appointee who had been selected by congressional Republican leaders. Smith founded the organization with the goal of "challenging the current campaign finance system in both federal court and the court of public opinion."[11]

The organization represented the plaintiffs in SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission, Court of Appeals decision that authorized the creation of Super PACs in 2010.[12]

In 2014, the organization challenged California's requirement that nonprofit groups must turn over their donor lists to the state in order to receive a license to solicit contributions from residents of the state.[13]

In 2014, the organization stated its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give Congress more power to regulate political spending.[14] It has also opposed proposed Internal Revenue Service guidelines that would redefine tax rules for social welfare organizations that engage in political advocacy as a secondary activity.[15]

In October 2017, the organization changed its name to the Institute for Free Speech, with an emphasis on "protecting First Amendment political speech rights".[16]

Allen Dickerson, legal director of the institute, became a member of the Federal Election Commission in 2020, after being nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by a vote of 49 to 47 in the U.S. Senate.[17]

Activities

The Institute for Free Speech represents plaintiffs in free speech cases.[18] [19] [20] It has been particularly active in criticizing campaign finance regulations, taxpayer-financed political campaigns, and restrictions on referendums and ballot initiatives. The organization publishes various studies and reports on campaign finance and political speech matters, and provides pro bono legal counsel to parties in suits challenging the constitutionality of campaign finance statutes. It has also defended the right of independent groups to participate freely in the electoral process.[21] [22]

The organization has a Free Speech Arguments Podcast that reviews oral arguments from First Amendment free political speech cases across the country.

In 2024, the organization released a study of state laws regarding free speech protection against frivolous lawsuits.[16] [23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Your Rights The Institute for Free Speech defends your First Amendment right to freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition. . Institute for Free Speech . 6 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Institute for Free Speech . . 6 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Institute for Free Speech . . 6 April 2024.
  4. Web site: Sanders . Katie . Is IRS Obama's Watergate? . 2024-04-06 . . en-US.
  5. News: Ackley . Kate . 26 June 2020 . FEC set to lose its quorum again . 6 April 2024 . . "the conservative Institute for Free Speech".
  6. News: Lonas . Lexi . 20 October 2023 . ‘No credibility’: Critics cry foul as colleges press for free speech amid Israel-Hamas conflict . 6 April 2024 . . the conservative-leaning Institute for Free Speech.
  7. Web site: About the Institute for Free Speech. 23 October 2007 . Institute for Free Speech. 2 December 2017.
  8. Web site: Beckel . Michael . 2016-01-20 . What Is "'Dark Money' and Is It Bad? . 2024-04-06 . . en . NBC News.
  9. News: Leathle . Emma . November 1, 2017 . Congress Holds Hearings On Online Political Ads . 2 December 2017 . .
  10. Web site: Ackley . Kate . 2022-09-21 . Senators to seek action on Democratic political disclosure bill . 2024-04-07 . . en-US.
  11. News: Cummings . Jeanne . 2008-08-12 . Conservatives plot on campaign finance . 11 August 2014 . .
  12. Web site: The Court Case That Led to the Creation of Super PACs . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084332/http://uspolitics.about.com/od/Money-In-Politics/fl/SpeechNoworg-v-Federal-Election-Commission.htm . 2014-08-19 . 2014-08-18 . About.com.
  13. News: 2014-07-22 . Give Us Your Donors, or Else . 11 August 2014 . .
  14. News: Newlin Carney . Eliza . 2014-07-02 . Hobby Lobby Ruling Fuels Amendment Push . 11 August 2014 . .
  15. News: Hicks . Josh . 2014-06-18 . IRS to propose specific limits on nonprofits' political activities . 11 August 2014 . Washington Post.
  16. Web site: Welcome to The Institute for Free Speech Your Rights: The Institute for Free Speech is here to defend your First Amendment rights . 6 April 2024 . Institute for Free Speech .
  17. News: Lee . Michelle Ye Hee . December 9, 2020 . Senate confirms three FEC commissioners, restoring full slate for the first time since 2017 . The Washington Post.
  18. News: Pazniokas . Mark . Court explores whether CT’s campaign law violates free speech . 8 April 2024 . . September 13, 2023.
  19. Web site: Alexander et al v. Sutton et al . pacermonitor.com . PacerMonitor, LLC . 8 April 2024.
  20. Web site: Belin v. Nelson . pacermonitor.com . PacerMonitor, LLC . 8 April 2024.
  21. News: Mahony . Edmund . CT Supreme Court rules that state ban on some political ads infringes on political free speech . 24 May 2024 . Hartford Courant . 20 May 2024.
  22. News: Mays . Jeffery C. . Gays? Palestinians? Speaking Your Mind Can Spell Trouble on the City Council . 24 May 2024 . The New York Times . 23 April 2019.
  23. News: Collins . Ronald K.L. . Robert Post: ‘There is growing pessimism about the future of free speech in the United States’ — First Amendment News 407 Institute for Free Speech report on frivolous lawsuits . 8 April 2024 . FIRE Newsdesk . . January 10, 2024.

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