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Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Election Regulatory Agency
Federal campaign finance regulator
Overview
The Federal Election Commission is the agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance law in the United States. It has been systematically neutered by design, with an even number of commissioners (3 Republican, 3 Democrat) ensuring partisan deadlock on enforcement. The FEC frequently lacks a quorum to act, cannot agree to investigate violations, and has become largely unable to enforce campaign finance law, allowing dark money to flood elections.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
DEADLOCK BY DESIGN: 3-3 partisan split ensures inability to enforce campaign finance law
QUORUM FAILURES: Frequently lacks minimum commissioners to conduct business
DARK MONEY: Inability to enforce disclosure requirements allows anonymous political spending
CITIZENS UNITED: Supreme Court ruling further undermined FEC's regulatory authority
Related Investigations (1)
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Also Known As
- FEC
Education
Key Timeline
1975
Established by 1974 amendments to FECA
2010
Citizens United decision dramatically limits FEC authority
2019
Loses quorum, cannot even conduct meetings