The Real Truth About Obama, Inc. v. FEC

In July 2008, The Real Truth About Obama filed suit to enjoin four FEC regulations governing when independent groups must register as federal political committees and comply with the applicable federal restrictions and disclosure requirements.  As the Supreme Court found in April 2010, several of these claims were mooted by its decision in Citizens United.  Upon remand to the district court, only two FEC rules remained at issue: the FEC definition of “express advocacy” and the FEC’s policy for determining a group’s “major purpose.”  Both the district court and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld both rules.  The Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari on January 7, 2013.