The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 29, 2025
As if the Federal Election Commission didn’t have enough problems, another member has reportedly chosen not to continue when his term runs out April 30th. That leaves the normally six-member commission with three, and unable to conduct business.
FEC members are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and by law should have 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats. A Republican member, Sean Cooksey, resigned effective January 20th, and days later President Donald Trump fired, likely illegally, FEC Chair Democrat Ellen Weintraub in a social media post. That left the minimum number of commissioners to conduct business, until now. News outlet NOTUS is reporting that Republican Commissioner Allen Dickerson steps down April 30th, leaving only three members and no quorum.
The typically ineffectual FEC, due to its equal partisan numbers, will cease hearings, rule-making, and actions on campaign finance complaints for the fourth time in its history. Two previous shutdowns were in 2019 and 2020 during the first Trump administration.
Donald Trump, subject of scores of past and present campaign finance complaints – including the notorious Stormy Daniels payoff –has already fired inspectors general in 17 federal agencies. So he’s unlikely to be in a hurry to nominate any new FEC commissioners.
We have more on the FEC’s struggles to keep elections fair at
AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Federal Election Commission – Leadership and Structure
Brennan Center for Justice – Enforcement & the FEC
NOTUS – The Federal Election Commission Is Facing a De Facto Shutdown
Congressional Research Service – Federal Election Commission: Membership and Policymaking Quorum, In Brief
The Hill – Trump-appointed FEC commissioner to resign on inauguration
Brennan Center for Justice – Trump Targets Independent Campaign Finance Watchdog in Latest Ouster
End Citizens United – End Citizens United Files FEC Complaint Against Trump Campaign and X Over Illegal Corporate Contribution
Groups Taking Action:
IssueOne, Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, CREW
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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