The 1976 Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited spending by individuals or groups who are not standing for election themselves but who wish to support particular candidates.

The provision does not apply to contributions made by corporations or unions. It rules that in any donor situation there must be no consultation with any candidate.

The court's decision overruled two major parts of the 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act which imposed mandatory spending limits on all federal races, and limited independent spending on behalf of federal candidates.