Federal Election Commission Regains Powers with New Member

After months in the political wilderness, the federal agency that polices campaign money is back in business.

Sort of.

The U.S. Senate’s confirmation today of Republican Trey Trainor means the Federal Election Commission, which since Sept. 1 has lacked enough commissioners to conduct its highest-level affairs, may again legally enforce campaign finance laws, make new rules, offer formal advice, complete investigations and approve audits.

It may even soon host its first public meeting since last summer.

But the FEC will likely emerge from its unprecedented work stoppage diminished and divided — just in time for the teeth of a presidential election season teeming with money.

Consider that: The FEC has a crushing backlog of enforcement cases waiting for it — 350 as of this month, per FEC staffers. Some old cases have or will soon hit a statute of limitations. Newer complaints involving Election 2020, including a few that involve President Donald Trump, are likely to wait until after Election Day before the commission resolves them.