The suit specifically challenged the act's ban on national parties raising and spending non-federal dollars, the RNC said Thursday in a news release. It also questions the constitutionality of party-coordinated expenditure limits.

The act was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

The RNC said it has many interests, such as state and federal elections, redistricting issues and grass roots lobbying, and is filing suit to defend its interests.

"The campaign finance restrictions the RNC today challenged infringe on the First Amendment's core: political speech and association," RNC Chairman Robert M. Duncan said. "The RNC must have the ability to support state candidates, coordinate expenditures with our candidates, and truly engage in political activity on a national level."