• CNN, Monday, January 22, 2007 11:45 AM

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a pair of appeals over the campaign-finance reform law limiting "issue ads." Oral arguments will be in late April, with a ruling expected by the end of the high court's term in June--just months before the 2008 election officially kicks off with primaries and caucuses.

The court will decide whether issue ads aired mainly on television-- and funded by businesses, labor unions, and other groups--can be banned 60 days before a general election, and 30 days before a primary. That restriction is a key part of the McCain-Feingold bill that put limits on political spending and messages.

Issue ads are often used to promote causes like environmental protection or tax reform; they are not allowed to endorse--or even mention--a candidate or political party. An anti-choice group, Wisconsin Right to Life, filed a lawsuit in 2004, demanding the right to air ads urging voters to contact their U.S. senators, Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both Democrats, and tell them to support the Bush Administration's judicial nominees.

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