FEC Could Face Massive Turnover at the Top

With FEC Commissioner Brad Smith announcing his resignation from the FEC, we could see some action on the campaign finance front soon. Smith, a Republican, had been a professor of law and wanted to return to teaching.

But that leaves some interesting issues facing the President and the Senate. Traditionally, commissioners have been replaced in pairs, i.e. one Democrat and one Republican at a time. Two commissioners have been serving in since their terms expired two years ago.

The problem with Smith leaving and the expired terms (still being filled by the previous appointees under the law permitting them to remain in place until a successor is appointed), is that the FEC could see as many a four new appointees this summer. This assumes of course that Democrats and Republicans could come up with a pair of nominees each. With four new Commissioners, it is possible that the Commission could go a whole new way in its regulatory effort. We could be looking at a Commission that tries to take more of a hands off approach to one dedicated to reform--what ever defintion to place on that term. But the idea of 2/3 of the commission being new presents an interesting scenario for the reform community and those who oppose "reform."

The question is whether the appointment of new commissioners will bring about a public assessment by the Senate and Congress in general about the propriety and policy behind the relation of campaign finance. It could be an interesting series of hearings to say the least.


FEC Could Face Massive Turnover at the Top