Born of the post-Watergate reforms of 1974. Its jurisdiction stops at federal races; states regulate their own elections, and much modern political money moves through channels outside its reach.
Open the interactive page for FEC →Created byFederal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974 (P.L. 93-443), creating the Commission under FECA of 1971; reconstituted as all-PAS by the 1976 amendments after Buckley v. Valeo
Head appointed52 U.S.C. § 30106(a): President appoints 6 voting members, Senate consent, single 6-yr terms, max 3 from one party; chairman elected annually by the members (chair and vice chair must be from different parties; no member chairs twice per term) (PAS)
Removal standardno statutory protection — FECA is silent on removal of commissioners
Funded underFinancial Services and General Government appropriations act — straight appropriation, no fees
Congressional oversightCommittee on House Administration · Senate Rules and Administration
Inspector generalown OIG (designated federal entity under IG Act — IG appointed by the Commission)
Judicial reviewComplainants may sue in the U.S. District Court for D.C. when the FEC dismisses or fails to act — review for action 'contrary to law,' 52 U.S.C. § 30109(a)(8); expedited constitutional challenges to FECA, 52 U.S.C. § 30110; deadlocked 3-3 dismissals reviewable on the controlling commissioners' statement
File a complaint against a campaign or committee; use the public campaign-finance disclosure data at fec.gov; vote for the Senate, which confirms commissioners.
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