February 7, 2025 •
President Trump Moves to Fire FEC Chairperson Ellen Weintraub

Ellen Weintraub, who has served as a Democratic member of the FEC since 2002, posted a letter signed by Donald Trump on social media that said she was “hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.” […]
Ellen Weintraub, who has served as a Democratic member of the FEC since 2002, posted a letter signed by Donald Trump on social media that said she was “hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”
Weintraub, who is currently chairperson of the FEC, questioned the legal validity of the move and signaled her intent to fight the removal.
Her term expired in 2007, but under federal law, she is allowed to remain a commissioner until a replacement is confirmed by the Senate.
Weintraub voted to investigate the president over allegations involving violating rules barring coordination between Trump’s campaign and allied super PACs and accusations that Russia tried to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.
She also voted to investigate Trump for promoting some of his businesses, including hotels and golf courses, during the 2016 campaign, including at rallies.
January 30, 2025 •
U.S. Federal Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold Increased for 2025

Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2025 from $22,700 to $23,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. […]
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold.
The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2025 from $22,700 to $23,300. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.
Additionally, the FEC published its adjusted Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits for political parties for 2025.
January 30, 2025 •
U.S. Federal Political Contribution Limits Increase for 2025-2026 Election Cycle

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years. The Federal […]
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2025-2026 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The individual and nonmulticandidate PAC contribution limit to federal candidates has increased from $3,300 to $3,500 for both primary and general elections, allowing for a total of $7,000 for a federal candidate.
The limits on contributions by individuals to national party committees have increased from $41,300 to $44,300 per calendar year.
Individuals may now contribute $132,900 per calendar year to committees of a national political party for presidential nominating conventions, to committees of a national political party for preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, and to committees of a national political party for the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of one or more buildings for party headquarters.
Individuals may now contribute $132,900 per calendar year to committees of a national political party for presidential nominating conventions, to committees of a national political party for preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, and to committees of a national political party for the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of one or more buildings for party headquarters.
January 14, 2025 •
FEC Appoints James D. McGinley Associate General Counsel for Litigation

On January 14, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) announced the appointment of James D. McGinley to the position of Associate General Counsel for Litigation. McGinley will oversee the Office of General Counsel’s Litigation Division, one of five units of the […]
On January 14, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) announced the appointment of James D. McGinley to the position of Associate General Counsel for Litigation. McGinley will oversee the Office of General Counsel’s Litigation Division, one of five units of the Office of General Counsel.
His division represents the commission before federal courts in all civil litigation involving campaign finance statutes. Additionally, it assists the Solicitor General’s office at the Department of Justice when cases involving the FEC are before the U.S. Supreme Court.
McGinley’s appointment became effective on January 13.
December 10, 2024 •
FEC to Consider Draft Legislative Recommendations

At the upcoming open meeting of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on December 12, commissioners will consider a number of draft legislative recommendations concerning several issues, including expanding the prohibition of political contributions from foreign nationals. Among the 17 different […]
At the upcoming open meeting of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on December 12, commissioners will consider a number of draft legislative recommendations concerning several issues, including expanding the prohibition of political contributions from foreign nationals.
Among the 17 different draft recommendations the FEC is considering, one includes asking Congress to revise the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) to prohibit knowingly helping or assisting a foreign national in violating existing prohibitions on contributions.
Additionally, the FEC will consider draft recommendations to further prohibit foreign nationals from involvement with state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and any recall elections that are not already included in the other prohibitions.
Another legislative recommendation includes amending FECA’s disclosure requirements by requiring the FEC to protect from public disclosure the street names and street numbers of individual contributors.
Political committees and other filers would report full mailing address information confidentially to the FEC, but individuals’ street names and street numbers would not be made available to the public.
The FEC would continue to publicly disclose each contributor’s name, city, state, zip code, occupation, and employer.
Still another legislative recommendation would be asking Congress to expand the types of campaign finance reports required to be filed electronically, rather than on paper, to include electioneering communication reports, inaugural committee reports and reports of communication costs.
If the Commission approves the legislative recommendations, it will prepare transmittal letters to the President and Congress for the chairman’s signature.
November 26, 2024 •
FEC Seeks Comments on Untraceable Electronic Payment Methods

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is seeking public comments concerning federal political contributions made through untraceable electronic payment methods. On November 26, 2024, the FEC published a notification of availability in the Federal Register requesting public input on a petition […]
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is seeking public comments concerning federal political contributions made through untraceable electronic payment methods.
On November 26, 2024, the FEC published a notification of availability in the Federal Register requesting public input on a petition for rulemaking submitted by Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.
The petition requests an amendment to 11 CFR §104.14(b)(5) to require records for contributions made by credit, debit, prepaid, or gift cards include documentation confirming a cross-check occurred between the contributor’s self-reported identifying information with the card issuing institution’s own information on the name and billing address of the cardholder.
The petition also requests an amendment to 11 CFR §104.14(e) to prohibit contributions from being accepted from prepaid or gift cards unless the information from those prepaid or gift cards can be cross-checked with the card issuing institution to confirm the name and billing address.
Public comments will be accepted by the FEC at https://www.fec.gov/legal-resources/regulations/pending-rulemaking-matters-comment/ until January 27, 2025.
September 19, 2024 •
FEC: Campaign Ads with Fraudulent Misrepresentation using Deliberately Deceptive AI Already Covered by Existing Campaign Finance Law

FEC; Photo: Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) concluded the use of fraudulent misrepresentation utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in federal campaign advertisements is already covered by existing campaign finance law. Going forward, the Commission will proceed with any application of allegations of […]
Today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) concluded the use of fraudulent misrepresentation utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in federal campaign advertisements is already covered by existing campaign finance law.
Going forward, the Commission will proceed with any application of allegations of fraud using AI or other specific technologies under 52 U.S.C. §30124 on a case-by-case basis.
On July 13, 2023, a Petition for Rulemaking was submitted to the FEC asking it to undertake a rulemaking “to clarify that the law against ‘fraudulent misrepresentation’ (52 U.S.C. § 30124) applies to deliberately deceptive AI produced content in campaign communications.” The Federal Election Campaign Act currently prohibits any person from falsely representing that they are speaking, writing, or acting on behalf of a federal candidate or a political party for the purpose of soliciting contributions. The law also prohibits a candidate, his or her employee or agent, or an organization under the candidate’s control, from purporting to speak, write, or act for another candidate or political party on a matter that is damaging to the other candidate or party.
Through the Commission’s approval of two drafts of a Notification of Disposition, REG 2023-02 (Artificial Intelligence in Campaign Ads), and an Interpretive Rule Regarding 52 U.S.C. §30124, the Commission decided not to initiate a rulemaking.
Commissioner Dara Lindenbaum stated a clear answer has been given as to whether generative-AI applies to the existing campaign finance laws. In today’s FEC’s open meeting, Lindenbaum stated, “Yes, the statute is technology neutral. So, I think we have given a very clear response today.”
January 29, 2024 •
FEC Updates Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold

FEC; Photo: Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call
On January 29, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2024 from $21,800 to $22,700. This threshold amount is […]
On January 29, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold.
The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2024 from $21,800 to $22,700.
This threshold amount is adjusted annually.
Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.
Additionally, the FEC published its adjusted Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits for political parties for 2024.
December 22, 2023 •
FEC Modernizes Some Regulations Concerning Technology

On March 1, 2024, the Federal Election Commission new rules eliminating and updating references to outdated technologies in federal campaign finance regulations are expected to come into effect. The Final Rules and an Explanation and Justification for Technological Modernization, approved […]
On March 1, 2024, the Federal Election Commission new rules eliminating and updating references to outdated technologies in federal campaign finance regulations are expected to come into effect.
The Final Rules and an Explanation and Justification for Technological Modernization, approved by the FEC at their last meeting in December, attempts to modernize the commission’s regulations in light of technological advances in communications, recordkeeping, and financial transactions.
A significant part of the rulemaking is amending the definition of “public communication” and adopting a new term, “internet public communication,” to include communications over the internet that are “placed or promoted for a fee on another person’s website, digital device, application, or advertising platform. A public communication is promoted for a fee where a payment is made to a website, digital device, application, or advertising platform in order to increase the circulation, prominence, or availability of the communication on that website, digital device, application, or advertising platform.”
The intent is to ensure that political committees properly disclose their paid internet communications and help to prevent the circumvention of disclaimer requirements.
The FEC also concluded that many of the current regulations do not account for technological developments in how electronic documents are created, maintained, and submitted, particularly in the context of electronic transactions. The rules make regulatory revisions to facilitate electronic accounting, recordkeeping, reporting, and redesignation by political committees.
The Final Rules will be published in the Federal Register at a future date.
December 15, 2023 •
FEC Chairman for 2024 will be Sean J. Cooksey

On December 14, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) elected Sean J. Cooksey as its chairman for 2024. Cooksey replaces Dara Lindenbaum, who was appointed to the commission in 2022. The chairmanship is a rotating, one-year position. Ellen L. Weintraub was […]
On December 14, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) elected Sean J. Cooksey as its chairman for 2024.
Cooksey replaces Dara Lindenbaum, who was appointed to the commission in 2022.
The chairmanship is a rotating, one-year position.
Ellen L. Weintraub was elected as Vice Chair for the next year.
Additionally, at the same regularly held open meeting, the FEC unanimously approved 16 legislative recommendations be submitted for consideration to the U.S. Congress.
The recommendations concern subject matters such as establishing an itemization threshold for conduit contributions; increasing the rate of pay for FEC commissioners, staff director and general counsel; amending the foreign national prohibition to include substantial assistance; and amending the foreign national prohibition to include state and local ballot initiatives, referenda and recall elections.
August 14, 2023 •
FEC Responds to Petition Concerning Deceptive Artificial Intelligence in Campaign Ads
On August 10, the Federal Election Commission moved a step closer to addressing “deliberately deceptive Artificial Intelligence (AI) campaign advertisements.” On July 13, the commission had received a Petition for Rulemaking asking the FEC to make it clear that the […]
On August 10, the Federal Election Commission moved a step closer to addressing “deliberately deceptive Artificial Intelligence (AI) campaign advertisements.”
On July 13, the commission had received a Petition for Rulemaking asking the FEC to make it clear that the related statutory prohibition applies to deliberately deceptive AI campaign advertisements.
In response, the FEC issued REG 2023-02 (Artificial Intelligence in Campaign Ads) Draft Notification of Availability to seek written public comments on the Petition.
The notification will be published in the Federal Register at a future date along with the deadline for comments, according to the FEC press release.
March 8, 2023 •
FEC Final Rule on Internet Disclaimers Takes Effect

FEC; Photo: Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call
On March 1, the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) Final Rule concerning internet communications disclaimers took effect. With it, the definition of public communication was revised in 11 CFR §110.11 in an attempt to clarify how it applies to general public […]
On March 1, the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) Final Rule concerning internet communications disclaimers took effect. With it, the definition of public communication was revised in 11 CFR §110.11 in an attempt to clarify how it applies to general public political advertising over the internet.
The amendments to the rules for internet-specific disclaimer requirements endeavor to be analogous to those for print and broadcast media, while also accounting for the unique characteristics of internet public communications, according to the FEC. The new internet disclaimer provisions do not impose the stand-by-your-ad requirements applicable to radio and television advertisements.
The FEC stated it adopted these updates to the regulatory rules “in light of technological advances since the Commission last revised its rules governing internet disclaimers in 2006, and to address questions from the public about the application of those rules to internet communications,” according to the memorandum submitted earlier with a draft of the rule.
February 10, 2023 •
Federal Contribution Limits Increase for 2023-2024 Election Cycle

FEC; Photo: Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2023-2024 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years. The individual […]
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published the 2023-2024 election cycle contribution limits, which have been indexed for inflation.
As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The individual and nonmulticandidate PAC contribution limit to federal candidates has increased from $2,900 to $3,300 for both primary and general elections, allowing for a total of $6,600 for a federal candidate.
The limits on contributions by individuals to national party committees has increased from $36,500 to $41,300 per calendar year.
Individuals may now contribute $123,900 per calendar year to committees of a national political party for presidential nominating conventions, to committees of a national political party for preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, and to committees of a national political party for the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of one or more buildings for party headquarters.
February 10, 2023 •
FEC Updates Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2023 from $20,200 to $21,800. This threshold amount is adjusted annually. Federal […]
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and the federal lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold.
The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased for 2023 from $20,200 to $21,800.
This threshold amount is adjusted annually.
Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.
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