Outside spending surpasses half-billion mark as 2020 election nears

Three months before the November election, outside spending in federal races has already crossed the $500 million line. It’s the most outside spending by this point in any election except 2016, which saw $565 million. Ultimately, outside groups spent a record-breaking $1.7 billion that cycle.

With super PACs that are closely tied to President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden flooding the airwaves and internet with ads, spending on the presidential race makes up 40 percent of all federal outside spending.

Regulations on outside groups — primarily...