The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has ceased operations, marking a significant pause in its duties due to the absence of a quorum. This development comes after a series of departures, including Republican Commissioner Allen Dickerson, who left the commission on April 30. The FEC now lacks the minimum number of commissioners required to function, leaving its key responsibilities in limbo.
Donald Trump had previously dismissed Democratic Commissioner Ellen Weintraud in February, a move that added to the vacancies. Currently, there are no announcements from the White House regarding potential nominees to fill these positions. The FEC, typically composed of six members, now operates with only three following these departures.
The commission plays a crucial role in overseeing campaign finance laws, ensuring transparency in how campaign funds are raised and spent. Without a quorum, the FEC cannot enforce regulations or provide necessary guidance on compliance, leaving a gap in oversight.
Alix Fraser, vice president of advocacy at Issue One, highlighted the potential risks of this situation to NOTUS. “The FEC is supposed to be the nation’s top campaign finance referee,” Fraser stated. “The loss of a quorum at the FEC is more than a bureaucratic hiccup — it’s the refs walking off the field at a moment when robust scrutiny of money in politics is needed more than ever.”
The absence of a quorum is not unprecedented for the FEC. During Trump’s first term, the commission was similarly inoperative twice, once in 2019 following the resignation of Matthew Petersen and again in 2020 after Caroline Hunter’s departure, each time resulting in significant backlogs.
These operational pauses come amid controversies surrounding campaign finance practices. In 2024, Trump was found guilty of campaign finance violations related to a hush money payment during the 2016 campaign, though he received an unconditional discharge after his 2024 presidential win. Further allegations arose last year regarding his use of campaign donations for legal expenses.
Despite the gravity of these issues, the White House has yet to provide comments on the current FEC situation. A spokesperson did not respond to inquiries.
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