WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 22, 2023) – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today released a statement following his legislation to extend the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) Administrative Fine Program being signed into law. The law extends the program for certain reporting violations for an additional 10 years and ensures the FEC enforcement operations continue to run smoothly.
“In 2023, a year of divided government, only 27 bills the House passed were signed into law. I’m proud that my common-sense election integrity bill was one of them,” said Steil. “This law ensures the FEC is well equipped to provide more transparency for the American people. Not only does this law accomplish the immediate goal of efficient campaign finance regulation, but it also aligns with the broader objectives of the American Confidence in Elections Act. I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen Americans’ confidence in our elections.”
Background:
- The Federal Election Commission, commonly referred to as the FEC, enforces federal law that requires political committees to file reports of receipts and disbursements by a certain date.
- Under the Administrative Fine Program, the FEC can swiftly resolve infractions related to late-filed or unfiled reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- That Administrative Fine Program was set to expire on December 31, 2023. Steil’s law extended the program for an additional 10 years, ensuring the FEC can expeditiously assess and enforce fines against campaign committees for their late-filed or unfiled reports.
- Before the inception of the Administrative Fine Program, an average of 21 percent of campaign finance reports were filed late. Now, late filed reports are below 10 percent, and the agency has assessed over $9 million in fines.
- This legislation was sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and Sen. Deb Fisher (R-NE), Ranking Member of that committee, and passed the Senate by voice vote.
- The Committee on House Administration reported out by voice vote an identical measure, H.R. 5734, which was sponsored by Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI01) and Ranking Member Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY25) The president signed S. 2747 into law on December 19, 2023.
CLICK HERE to read the law.
