Week of August 24-28, 2020
Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
Enforcement
The Commission made public three closed cases, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.
COMPLAINANT: Alexander Austin
RESPONDENTS: Enbridge Inc.; Enbridge (U.S.) Inc.; Enbridge (U.S.) Inc. Political Action Committee and K. Ritu Talwar, in her official capacity as Treasurer (Enbridge PAC); Enbridge Energy Company, Inc.; 52 Federal Committees ; and 252 State Committees
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Enbridge PAC, a separate segregated fund of the U.S. subsidiary of Canadian oil pipeline company Enbridge Inc., made prohibited foreign contributions totaling $542,600 to 50 federal candidates, 238 state and local candidates, two federal political party committees, and 15 state and local political party committees during the 2018 election cycle. The complaint alleged further that each of these candidates and committees solicited, accepted, or received prohibited foreign contributions.
DISPOSITION: The Commission dismissed the allegation that Enbridge, Inc., Enbridge (U.S.) Inc., Enbridge PAC, and Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. violated the prohibition on foreign national contributions of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and Commission regulations. In light of Enbridge, Inc.’s Political Contributions Policy, which suggests it may believe it may legally make contributions in connection with state and local elections, the Commission sent a letter cautioning that 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(1) prohibits foreign nationals such as Enbridge, Inc., from making such contributions. The Commission found no reason to believe that the State and Federal Committees knowingly accepted foreign national contributions because (1) there was no information available to suggest that those Committees had any basis to conclude that Enbridge PAC was a foreign national or that foreign nationals were involved in Enbridge PAC’s decisions to make contributions, and (2) the Federal and State Committee Respondents denied that they so concluded when they accepted the contributions. Chair James E. “Trey” Trainor and Vice Chair Steven T. Walther and Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub issued Statements of Reasons.
COMPLAINANT: Shalira Taylor
RESPONDENTS: Laverne Gore for Congress and Peter J. Corrigan, in his official capacity as treasurer (the Committee); and Laverne Gore
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that a video announcing Gore’s candidacy did not include the required disclaimer and that the Committee had not filed disclosure forms with the Commission. Gore is a 2020 candidate for Ohio’s 11th Congressional District.
DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in consideration of Commission priorities. The Commission observed that the Committee took remedial actions and that it was unlikely that the general public would have been misled as to the party responsible for the video.
COMPLAINANT: Charles Kallas
RESPONDENTS: McDermott for Congress and Robert Lendi, in his official capacity as treasurer (the Committee); Thomas M. McDermott; and the City of Hammond, Indiana
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that McDermott, the mayor of Hammond, Indiana, used a newsletter included with the town’s bimonthly Water Department bills to advertise a radio show paid for by McDermott for Congress, which benefited the Committee through the use of taxpayer funds. The Complaint alleged further that the radio show ad, mailed with the Water Department bills, did not contain a disclaimer stating who paid for or authorized its placement. McDermott is a 2020 candidate for Indiana’s 1st Congressional District.
DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in consideration of Commission priorities. The Commission observed that the Committee had taken remedial measures and that the dollar amount at issue was probably low.
Administrative Fines
The Commission made public 101 closed cases, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.
21st Century Democrats and Bill Combs, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $5,373.
America Comes First PAC and David W. Schamens, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $17,986.
American Rental Association Political Action Committee and John W. McClelland, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $104.
Andeavor LLC Political Action Committee and Travis J. Hunt, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $682.
Baldwin Wisconsin Victory Fund and Glenn Carlson, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $9,297.
Border Health Federal PAC and Ernie Perez, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $6,541.
Brand New Congress and Amy Vilela, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $5,086.
Broader Representation Advocacy Team – Political Action Committee and Jasper Hendricks III, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Build the Wave and Nathan Lerner, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $8,819.
Carolyn’s PAC and Melissa A. Mendez, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $278.
Comptel PAC and Julia Strow, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $254.
Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee and Eloisa Melendez, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $9,297.
Conservative Triumph Fund and Ronald Ramirez, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $486.
D R I V E Political Fund Chapter 886 and Jerry Sims, Jr., in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Democrats Work for America, Inc. and Sudha Kailar, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $6,589.
Grassroots Awareness PAC and Pam Mattson, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Kentucky Bankers Political Action Committee and Matt Vance, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $710.
Libertarian Party of Illinois and Rusty L. Clark, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $164.
Liberty for US Super PAC and Chris Marston, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
National Turkey Federation Political Action Committee/TURPAC and Joel Brandenberger, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $101.
New Nation Rising and Olufemi Ogunnaike, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $11,627.
NY19Votes and Linda Sakai, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $134.
Pipefitters Local #533 Volunteer Political Fund and Charles J. Roseburrough, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $182.
Rand Paul Victory and Kevin Broghamer, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $3,925.
Rock City PAC and Kimberly Kaegi, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $242.
Rural Progress and Nathaniel Irvin, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
Sasse Leadership Committee and Steve Ralls, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO Political Action Fund) and James M. Smith, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $119.
Stop the Speaker PAC and Jeremy Levinson, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Texas Patriots PAC and Cynthia Gaskill, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $2,087.
The Fund for American Exceptionalism and Regan Bonderman, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $514.
Tomorrow is Meaningful PAC and Stacy Wiggins, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $2,145.
TTX PAC and Patrick B. Loftus, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $194.
UGI Corporation Political Action Committee (UGI/PAC) and David Pettine, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $161.
Ultra Electronics USA Group Inc PAC (Ultra Electronics USA PAC or UEUSA PAC) and Scott A. Meyers, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Young Hoosier Victory Fund and Kevin Broghamer, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $738.
Allison for Congress and Timothy Rothermel, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
America Comes First PAC and David W. Schamens, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $17,986.
Andrew Takami for US Senate and Andrew Takami, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $298.
Aruna Miller for Congress and Sudhir Sekhsaria, MD, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Baria for Mississippi and Will Godfrey, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Billy Kovacs for Congress and Billy Kovacs, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Bopha Malone for Congress and Josh Aslanian, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Carrigan for Congress and Kadenia Javis, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Committee to Elect Enoch and Catherine Johnson, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $272.
Committee to Elect HP and Dounia Metouri, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $6,541.
Committee to Elect Mauro Garza for US Congress and Elizabeth Iris Castillo, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $206.
Dale Kerns for Office and Joseph P. Soloski, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $3,925.
Deaglan McEachern for Congress and Lori Tiernan, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Dorothy Gasque for Congress and Megan Jones, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Eric for US and Elizabeth Perez, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Ethan Pham for Congress and Jenny Nguyen, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Feminist Majority PAC and Peg Yorkin, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $113.
Finance Committee for Douglas Howard Pierce and Douglas Howard Pierce, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Friends of Danner Kline and William Davis, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Friends of Edwin Santana, Jr. for Congress and Tracy Lee Santana, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $89.
Fulton Financial Corporation PAC and Michael J. Deporter, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Greg Pilkington for Congress and Phyllis Whitney, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Hart 2020 and Hart C. Cunningham, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Inspire Brands Inc. Political Action Committee and Danton Nolan, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $113.
Jason Nichols for Congress and Jason Nichols, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $149.
Jonathan Jenkins for Senate and Office of Treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $17,440.
Lake for Congress and Jesse Nahshon Prater, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Liberty T and Samuel B. Casey, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Malarsie House Run 2018 and Terry Blevins, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Marty Gearheart for Congress and Nishant Grover, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $3,925.
New Nation Rising and Olufemi Ogunnaike, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $11,627.
People for Corbin-Johnson and Joseph Bachman, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 74 and Michael B. Hackendorn, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $615.
Reuben for Congress and Breon King, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
Roel Garcia for Congress and Rocio Garcia, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Roza Calderon for Congress and Michael Wiliams, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,537.
Rural Progress and Nathaniel Irvin, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
Sarah Smith 2018 and Andy Lo, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
Shayani for Congress 2018 and Sharokin Vardeh-Dariush, in their official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Solomon for Congress and Dr. Robert Charles Solomon, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Texans for Texas and David Terry, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
The Seasonal Employer PAC and Elizabeth Whitley, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $116.
UTEPAC and Skyler Massy, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $145.
Thomas for First and Thomas Rudbeck, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $204.
Tim Aalders for US Senate and Tim Aalders, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Tim Rich for Congress and Timothy A. Rich, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
To Elect Jenny Marshall and Jennifer Marshall, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
We Are Great Again PAC and Chris Marston, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $4,875.
Jill Stein for President and Steven Welzer, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $20,344.
South Dakota Democratic Party and Marcia Bunger, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $5,086.
Equality PAC and Jennifer May, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $7,994.
The Collective PAC and Jennifer May, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $1,230.
The Collective PAC and Jennifer May, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $41.
The Democratic Coalition and Scott Dworkin, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $3,925.
Committee to Elect HP and Dounia Metouri, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $8,176.
Edwards for PA and Beatrice Karnga, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Hart 2020 and Hart C. Cunningham, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Jonathan Jenkins for Senate and Office of Treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $17,440.
Shaun Brown for Virginia and Octavianus Smith, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $7,994.
Shireen Ghorbani for Congress and Rochelle Randazzo, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $684.
Committee to Elect HP and Dounia Metouri, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $8,176.
Hart 2020 and Hart C. Cunningham, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed no civil penalty.
Jill Stein for President and Steven Welzer, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $29,924.
Jonathan Jenkins for Senate and Office of Treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $17,440.
Shireen Ghorbani for Congress and Rochelle Randazzo, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $341.
Rulemakings and agency procedures
The Commission invites public comment on a Notification of Availability, published in the Federal Register on June 30, regarding a Petition for Rulemaking asking the Commission to amend its regulations to limit the amount that the authorized committee of a federal candidate may transfer to a national political party committee so that a self-funded candidate cannot transfer funds derived from the candidate’s personal funds to a national political party committee if the transferred funds would exceed the annual limit on an individual’s contributions to such a committee. Comments can be submitted online and are due by August 31, 2020.
Litigation
Crossroads GPS v. CREW, et al. (Case No. 18-5261) On August 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an Opinion and Judgment.
FEC v. Rivera (Case No. 17-22643) On August 22, Defendant Rivera filed a Response to Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Incorporated Memorandum of Law in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. On August 24, the Commission filed a Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.
Outreach
On August 27, Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub spoke via Zoom about the FEC and the 2020 election at an event sponsored by the University of North Carolina Institute of Politics.
Press Releases
Appeals Court issues opinion in Crossroads GPS v. CREW, et al. (issued August 24)
Upcoming Commission meetings
September 22, 2020: The Commission is scheduled to meet in executive session.
Upcoming reporting due dates
September 20: September Monthly reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2020 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website.
Upcoming educational programs
September 1-2, 2020: The Commission will host Independent Expenditure and Pre-Election Communication webinars.
September 23-24, 2020: The Commission will host reporting and FECFile webinars for candidates, PACs and political party committees.
Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.
Updated election dates
For the latest reporting updates, please visit the Commission’s Dates and deadlines web page.
Status of agency operations
See the Commission’s statement on the status of agency operations, updated on August 10, 2020. At this stage, most agency staff remain in telework status and the Commission’s office remains closed to visitors.
Additional research materials
Contribution Limits. In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal Elections 2018: Election Results for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives is available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
Additional research materials about the agency, campaign finance information, and election results are available through the Library section of the Commission website.
The 2019 Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives and other financial filings.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
Other election-related resources
Videos on protecting U.S. elections. The FBI’s Protected Voices initiative provides videos designed to help political campaigns protect themselves from foreign influence. The 2019 videos offer guidance on ransomware, business email compromise, supply chain, social media literacy, and foreign influence operations. Other videos, released in 2018, include cyber hygiene topics such as social engineering, patching, router hardening, and app and browser safety.
Join the FEC on Twitter and YouTube
Follow @FEC on Twitter to receive the latest information on agency updates, news releases, and weekly activity. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, FECTube: FECConnect on Demand, to watch instructional videos that have been designed to help candidates and committees comply with federal campaign finance laws. Note that the FEC is not currently available through other social media platforms at this time. The use of the agency’s logo, name, and likeness on other media has not been authorized by the FEC.
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- Judith Ingram
- Press Officer
- Judith Ingram
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- Christian Hilland
- Deputy Press Officer
- Christian Hilland
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- Myles Martin
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Myles Martin