Kilmer Statement on Federal Election Commission Stalemate over Super PAC Disclosures
TACOMA, WA – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after the Federal Election Commission (FEC) deadlocked over whether to investigate reports that limited-liability corporations hid the source of donations to Super PACs during the 2012 election. The FEC stalemate makes it easier for Super PAC donors to mask contributions in the upcoming election.
“Gridlock at the Federal Election Commission is further poisoning our political system,” said Kilmer “This latest stalemate paves the way for big donors to flood our elections with even more money – all while masking where it comes from. This is not right and it will make it harder for Americans to have their voices heard. It’s further proof that now is the time to fix the people’s advocate in our elections. That’s why I’ll continue fighting for my bipartisan bill to institute meaningful reforms and get the FEC back to what it’s supposed to do weeding out campaign finance abuses. Making the commission functional again can help us revitalize our democracy and focus on citizens rather than special interests.”
Last year, Kilmer introduced a bipartisan bill, the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act, which would reform the Federal Election Commission so it can more effectively carry out its original mission to oversee campaign finance laws.
Kilmer’s legislation would reduce the number of Commissioners from six to five to eliminate stalemate decisions. To increase the independence of the Commission, one of the members could not be affiliated with either party and the Chair would serve a ten-year term, like the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Additionally, the bill would:
- Reduce partisanship by limiting Commissioners to one term
- End the practice of Commissioners serving indefinitely until a replacement is chosen for them
- Create a blue ribbon advisory panel to recommend nominees to the president to fill any vacancy on the Commission
- Delegate some administrative and investigatory tasks to the Chair to ensure smooth administration and timely investigations
- Maintain the requirement for a majority of the Commission to vote to initiate or take civil action against someone who violates federal election law, issue advisory opinions, engage in rulemaking, and conduct investigations and hearings
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