FEC to lose quorum after another commissioner resigns

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is set to have fewer members than necessary for a quorum following the resignation of a second commissioner from the body this year. 

Commissioner Allen Dickerson, a Republican, announced his decision to step down effective Wednesday evening at the FEC’s meeting earlier in the day. He was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the commission in 2020, with his term set to expire April 30 of this year. 

Dickerson’s resignation is particularly consequential because it will prevent the FEC from being able to conduct business on various issues, including issuing opinions on cases and acting on campaign finance violations. 

Republican Sean Cooksey, whom Trump also appointed, resigned from his position in January, expressing hope that Trump would nominate new appointees to take over for commissioners whose terms had expired. 

Trump dismissed Democratic Commissioner Ellen Weintraub in February. Weintraub has argued that her removal by the president is illegal, but her position remains vacant on the body. 

The FEC is made up of six members with no more than three from each party, ensuring some amount of bipartisanship in its decisions. Four members must be present for a quorum, but Dickerson’s resignation will lower the number to three. 

Issue One, a nonprofit political reform group, noted in a release that this will be the fourth time in the FEC’s history that it doesn’t have a quorum. It lost a quorum in 2008, during George W. Bush’s administration, and on two occasions during Trump’s first term in 2019 and 2020. 

“Without a quorum, the FEC is a watchdog without a bark or bite,” Issue One senior research director Michael Beckel said in the release. “Losing its quorum defangs the FEC at a time when the robust scrutiny of money in politics is needed more than ever.” 

“Without a quorum, the FEC cannot investigate campaign finance complaints, conduct audits, levy fines against rule-breakers, issue new rules or advisory opinions, initiate new litigation, or even hold meetings,” Beckel added. “What the FEC needs most is a full array of commissioners who are firmly committed to enforce our nation’s campaign finance laws — individuals who put country over party and who understand the importance of the rule of law.” 

Presidents are responsible for appointing commissioners, who must be confirmed by the Senate. Trump has yet to announce any appointments to the body.