The Citizens United decision holds that political spending is not a form of protected speech under the First Amendment and that the government may prevent corporations or unions from spending money to advocate the election or defeat of a candidate .

Citizens United

A U.S. constitutional law case that held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political communications by corporations, including nonprofit corporations, labor unions, and other associations.

Political Spending

Financial expenditures made by individuals, organizations, or companies to influence political processes and election outcomes.

First Amendment

A provision in the United States Constitution that prohibits the government from making laws which regulate an establishment of religion, or that would prohibit the free exercise of religion, or abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, or the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.