In need of some way following the Watergate scandal to regulate the money that pours into political campaigns, Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1974. Congress followed up the next year by creating the Federal Election Commission. Acting as an independent regulatory agency, the FEC acts as a repository of campaign finance disclosure forms filed by candidates; enforces the legal limits and prohibitions regarding campaign contributions; and oversees public financing of presidential elections. Six commissioners, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, preside over the agency. No more than three commissioners can belong to the same political party, and at least four votes are required for the commission to act. The agency has 350 employees and an annual budget of about $67 million.
LEGAL TEAM
General Counsel Anthony “Tony” Herman oversees 120 employees, 90 of them lawyers. The office itself is split into five divisions, led by associate general counsel. The Policy Division drafts advisory opinions and regulations. Other duties include writing memoranda interpreting the federal campaign finance laws, fielding questions from Congress and keeping up with changes to campaign legislation.
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