In the early 21st century, a Supreme Court case redefined the landscape of campaign finance and political speech. In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a nonprofit organization challenged federal law restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that such restrictions violated the First Amendment's free speech protections. Understand how Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion emphasized that political spending is a form of protected speech, so the government cannot limit independent expenditures for political communications by corporations and unions. This decision has had a far-reaching effect on American elections, political campaigns, and the influence of money in politics.