A three-judge panel decided against the Republican National Committee on Friday, upholding an eight-year-old ban on unlimited “soft money” political contributions to political parties.

In deciding the case, the Republican National Committee v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia cited spending curbs outlined in the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act — a law later challenged by now-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — and a recent high court decision, Citizens United, which threw out many restrictions on corporate and union political expenditures.

The RNC, whose press office was unavailable for comment, could appeal the case to the Supreme Court, a likely challenge that the district court appeared to foreshadow in its decision.

“In due course, the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to clarify or refine this,” the three-judge panel wrote.