Author Archive for: mbeckel

Not an April Fools’ joke: Nation’s campaign finance watchdog is MIA as FEC endures longest period without a quorum in its history

Federal, Federal Election Commission

Even before the coronavirus crisis upended the lives of millions of Americans and the operations of countless government agencies, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was already struggling. Today, in fact, marks the start of the eighth month since the nation’s campaign finance watchdog lost its ability to do its job due to the resignation of one commissioner in August. This

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9 numbers to know from the newest 2020 campaign finance reports

2020, Dark Money, Federal, fundraising

On Friday night, presidential candidates were required to file new campaign finance reports that detailed the money they raised and spent in February — a time before the spread of coronavirus upended the lives of Americans across the country. Here are some of the most crucial numbers to know from the latest reports. $2.1 billion: Total amount of money spent

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5 times Trey Trainor’s FEC confirmation hearing raised questions about his qualifications

Accountability, Dark Money, Federal, Federal Election Commission

At his confirmation hearing last week in the Senate Rules Committee, Texas attorney Trey Trainor’s remarks raised serious questions about whether he should be confirmed to serve on the Federal Election Commission (FEC), a post for which he has been nominated by President Donald Trump. “The answers that Trey Trainor gave at his confirmation hearing did not allay concerns about

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Trey Trainor’s nomination to the FEC will only make matters worse

Uncategorized

In response to the news that Senate Republicans will hold a confirmation hearing next week for Federal Election Commission (FEC) nominee Trey Trainor, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “It is unacceptable that the watchdog for our federal elections has been without a quorum to conduct even the most basic business for more than six months.

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Coordination Watch, February 2020: Media reports draw attention to coordination issues with super PACs, outside groups in 2020 races

Coordination Watch

Outside groups, like super PACs and dark money organizations, frequently skirt anti-coordination rules designed to prevent wealthy donors and special interests from garnering undue influence in our elections. Issue One published a groundbreaking report last month called “Coordination Watch,” designed to help the public and the press identify coordination between outside groups and candidates.  This project detailed six questions to

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10 numbers to know from the newest 2020 campaign finance reports

2020

Even as the loss of a quorum prevents the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from performing most of its duties, the agency continues to make the campaign finance reports filed by candidates and groups available on its website. Here are some of the most critical numbers to know from the latest reports, which were filed by presidential candidates on Thursday. How

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9 numbers to know about the latest campaign finance filings in the presidential race

Election analysis

All presidential candidates and super PACs focused on the presidential race were required to file new campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by midnight on Friday. Even as the loss of a quorum prevents the agency from performing most of its duties, the FEC continues to make campaign finance reports available on its website, for the candidates

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