Federal regulators can't police campaign finance violations during midterms due to vacancies The Federal Election Commission hasn't been able to launch investigations or issue penalties for well over a year.

A record amount of money is pouring into the midterm elections, but there's currently no cop on the beat.

The Federal Election Commission is charged with policing campaign finance laws, but it has been unable to conduct investigations or issue penalties for well over a year.


That's because the agency doesn't have enough commissioners to hold a vote. President Donald Trump fired the Democratic chair last year, and three other Republicans on the panel resigned for different reasons. Currently, two commissioners remain in place.

Trump announced two nominees earlier this year, which would be enough to restore enforcement, but their approval has stalled in the Senate for months.

In a statement dated Feb. 18, 2026, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised Trump's picks and promised a  timely hearing and confirmation process. 

 A functioning FEC is essential to maintaining the integrity and transparency of our federal elections, and restoring a quorum is an important step toward that goal,  McConnell wrote.

McConnell returned to Capitol Hill last month after an extended absence due to health issues.



Asked if a confirmation hearing would be scheduled before the current Congress ends in January, a spokesperson for McConnell, David Popp, wrote in an email,  I'll be sure to let you know if I have any scheduling announcements or guidance for you. 

Sen. Alex Padilla of California, the top Democrat on the committee, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the FEC's latest quarterly report shows there are 307 pending cases.

Adav Noti, a former FEC lawyer who currently serves as executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, says enforcement at the agency was lacking before the vacancies.

 The voter perception that there's something wrong with the system isn't just a product of the FEC being sort of non-function
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