The FEC, which regulates elections and campaign finance, is without a quorum after the resignation of one of its members. (Photo: Tax Credits/Flickr/cc)
Democracy Watchdog Warns FEC Courting 'Disaster' by Heading Into 2020 Elections Without a Quorum
"Americans deserve an FEC willing and able to enforce the laws passed by Congress to protect the integrity of our elections and the President must nominate new commissioners who will serve as the cops on the beat."
The Federal Elections Commission was left without a quorum Monday when vice chairman Matthew Petersen, the fourth member of the already depleted agency, resigned, just months before the 2020 election cycle kicks into gear with the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
At three members, the FEC is left toothless and without the power to even convene meetings--much less enforce the rules.
"The timing couldn't be worse," wrote Mother Jones reporter Russ Choma. "The 2020 election is predicted to be the most expensive election in history, and a raft of unresolved questions are facing the FEC when it comes to how to enforce rules to keep foreign influence out of American democracy."
Elections expert and University of California-Davis professor Rick Hasen told Choma that the FEC was already running at historically ineffective levels in the Trump era, but at least operating with a quorum allowed it some ability to protect the democratic process.
"Even if the Democrats and Republicans on the commissioners would deadlock on ordinary enforcement matters, there is at least a chance they could come together in an emergency to help ensure the integrity of the 2020 campaign," said Hasen.
In a statement, Common Cause president Kate Hobert Flynn said Petersen's resignation, and the lack of interest on the part of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in filling the commission's empty seats, were a danger to the country.
"Americans deserve an FEC willing and able to enforce the laws passed by Congress to protect the integrity of our elections and the President must nominate new commissioners who will serve as the cops on the beat," said Flynn. "While the agency may have fallen short of fulfilling its duties in recent years, to leave the FEC without a quorum to act would court disaster."
Think Progress explained the role of Washington's two most powerful Republicans:
President Donald Trump has made little effort to appoint new commissioners since taking office. But the one nomination he has made--pro-Trump attorney Trey Trainor of Texas--has been waiting for a confirmation hearing since September 2017.
McConnell has dubbed himself the "grim reaper," blocking virtually all legislative action in the United States Senate and focusing almost exclusively on confirming Trump's nominees. But the Federal Election Commission has been a notable exception.
In a statement, FEC chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said the agency would be ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to continue its mission, irrespective of quorum or enforcement.
"The FEC will still be able to shine a strong spotlight on the finances of the 2020 campaign," said Weintraub.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The Federal Elections Commission was left without a quorum Monday when vice chairman Matthew Petersen, the fourth member of the already depleted agency, resigned, just months before the 2020 election cycle kicks into gear with the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
At three members, the FEC is left toothless and without the power to even convene meetings--much less enforce the rules.
"The timing couldn't be worse," wrote Mother Jones reporter Russ Choma. "The 2020 election is predicted to be the most expensive election in history, and a raft of unresolved questions are facing the FEC when it comes to how to enforce rules to keep foreign influence out of American democracy."
Elections expert and University of California-Davis professor Rick Hasen told Choma that the FEC was already running at historically ineffective levels in the Trump era, but at least operating with a quorum allowed it some ability to protect the democratic process.
"Even if the Democrats and Republicans on the commissioners would deadlock on ordinary enforcement matters, there is at least a chance they could come together in an emergency to help ensure the integrity of the 2020 campaign," said Hasen.
In a statement, Common Cause president Kate Hobert Flynn said Petersen's resignation, and the lack of interest on the part of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in filling the commission's empty seats, were a danger to the country.
"Americans deserve an FEC willing and able to enforce the laws passed by Congress to protect the integrity of our elections and the President must nominate new commissioners who will serve as the cops on the beat," said Flynn. "While the agency may have fallen short of fulfilling its duties in recent years, to leave the FEC without a quorum to act would court disaster."
Think Progress explained the role of Washington's two most powerful Republicans:
President Donald Trump has made little effort to appoint new commissioners since taking office. But the one nomination he has made--pro-Trump attorney Trey Trainor of Texas--has been waiting for a confirmation hearing since September 2017.
McConnell has dubbed himself the "grim reaper," blocking virtually all legislative action in the United States Senate and focusing almost exclusively on confirming Trump's nominees. But the Federal Election Commission has been a notable exception.
In a statement, FEC chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said the agency would be ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to continue its mission, irrespective of quorum or enforcement.
"The FEC will still be able to shine a strong spotlight on the finances of the 2020 campaign," said Weintraub.
The Federal Elections Commission was left without a quorum Monday when vice chairman Matthew Petersen, the fourth member of the already depleted agency, resigned, just months before the 2020 election cycle kicks into gear with the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
At three members, the FEC is left toothless and without the power to even convene meetings--much less enforce the rules.
"The timing couldn't be worse," wrote Mother Jones reporter Russ Choma. "The 2020 election is predicted to be the most expensive election in history, and a raft of unresolved questions are facing the FEC when it comes to how to enforce rules to keep foreign influence out of American democracy."
Elections expert and University of California-Davis professor Rick Hasen told Choma that the FEC was already running at historically ineffective levels in the Trump era, but at least operating with a quorum allowed it some ability to protect the democratic process.
"Even if the Democrats and Republicans on the commissioners would deadlock on ordinary enforcement matters, there is at least a chance they could come together in an emergency to help ensure the integrity of the 2020 campaign," said Hasen.
In a statement, Common Cause president Kate Hobert Flynn said Petersen's resignation, and the lack of interest on the part of President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in filling the commission's empty seats, were a danger to the country.
"Americans deserve an FEC willing and able to enforce the laws passed by Congress to protect the integrity of our elections and the President must nominate new commissioners who will serve as the cops on the beat," said Flynn. "While the agency may have fallen short of fulfilling its duties in recent years, to leave the FEC without a quorum to act would court disaster."
Think Progress explained the role of Washington's two most powerful Republicans:
President Donald Trump has made little effort to appoint new commissioners since taking office. But the one nomination he has made--pro-Trump attorney Trey Trainor of Texas--has been waiting for a confirmation hearing since September 2017.
McConnell has dubbed himself the "grim reaper," blocking virtually all legislative action in the United States Senate and focusing almost exclusively on confirming Trump's nominees. But the Federal Election Commission has been a notable exception.
In a statement, FEC chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said the agency would be ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to continue its mission, irrespective of quorum or enforcement.
"The FEC will still be able to shine a strong spotlight on the finances of the 2020 campaign," said Weintraub.