Fact Check: "Federal limits on coordinated campaign spending range from $123,000 to $3.7 million."
What We Know
The claim regarding federal limits on coordinated campaign spending is partially accurate. According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the coordinated party expenditure limits for 2025 vary significantly based on the state and the type of election. For Senate nominees, the limits range from $127,200 to $3,946,100, depending on each state's voting age population (VAP). For House nominees, the limits are $127,200 in states with only one representative and $63,600 in states with multiple representatives. These limits are set to apply to general elections held during 2025, including special elections.
The claim's lower end of $123,000 is slightly inaccurate as the actual limit for Senate nominees starts at $127,200. The upper limit of $3.7 million is also slightly off, as the maximum for Senate nominees is $3,946,100.
Analysis
The claim's accuracy hinges on the specific figures cited. The lower limit of $123,000 does not match the official figures, which start at $127,200 for Senate nominees. This discrepancy indicates that the claim may be based on outdated or misinterpreted information. The upper limit, while close, is also inaccurate, as the actual maximum is $3,946,100 for Senate nominees, which is higher than the claim suggests.
The FEC is a reliable source for campaign finance information, as it is the governing body responsible for enforcing federal campaign finance laws. The figures provided by the FEC are based on the latest data reflecting the voting age population and adjustments for inflation since 1974, making them credible and authoritative (FEC).
In contrast, other sources discussing campaign finance limits, such as news articles about ongoing legal challenges to these limits, do not provide specific figures but rather discuss the implications of potential changes to these limits (Reuters, New York Times, CBS News). While these sources are reputable, they do not directly address the specific claim about the limits.
Conclusion
The claim that "Federal limits on coordinated campaign spending range from $123,000 to $3.7 million" is Partially True. The lower limit is inaccurately stated, as the actual minimum is $127,200, while the upper limit is also slightly misrepresented, being $3,946,100 instead of $3.7 million. Therefore, while the claim captures the general idea of the limits, the specific figures provided are not entirely accurate.
