U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Derek Kilmer introduced the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act
By Tom Waring
The Times
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Derek Kilmer, a Washington Democrat, introduced the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act to reform the Federal Election Commission and enable it to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws.
The current enforcement process at the FEC is such that the Commission is increasingly deadlocked on decisions. In 2006, the FEC deadlocked on fewer than 3 percent of all major enforcement cases it reviewed. That number jumped to 30 percent by 2016.
“The foundation of our democracy is the American people’s confidence in our electoral system,” Fitzpatrick said. “Ending the partisan gridlock at the Federal Election Commission will increase transparency and give the American people confidence that campaigns are held accountable and everyone is following the same rules.”
One of the tenets of the bill would be the reduction of the number of commissioners from six to five, eliminating stalemate decisions. The bill would mandate that one member could not be affiliated with either party, ultimately increasing the independence of the Commission.
The Restoring Integrity to America’s Election Act would also establish an advisory Blue-Ribbon Commission to develop recommendations on nominees to fill vacancies on the Commission as they arise; prohibit recent politicians from serving as commissioners to preserve the independence of the commission; strengthen the role of the general counsel so that enforcement matters move forward on such authority, unless the Commission affirmatively votes to override the general counsel; revise the qualifications for commissions to focus on independence, public credibility and professional experience in election law; and designate to reviewing courts the power to decide whether agency action is contrary to law based on the merits of the complaints before them. ••
