Will the American people have an election watchdog in 2020?

Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement in the wake of news that Commissioner Caroline Hunter will be resigning from the Federal Election Commission next week, a move that will cause the FEC to again lose its quorum this year.

“It is deeply disheartening and concerning that the FEC will again be missing in action as the country enters the home stretch of the 2020 election. The American people need a watchdog devoted to enforcing the anti-corruption laws on the books and ensuring transparency of the billions of dollars being spent to influence their votes,” said Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee.

“In order to swiftly restore a quorum, President Donald Trump should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, individuals who will prioritize enforcing both the letter and the spirit of law — and only individuals who put their constitutional responsibilities to uphold our nation’s anti-corruption laws first.”

Background:

For roughly nine months — from August 2019 until earlier this month — the FEC had been without the quorum necessary to do its job. The FEC has only had a quorum since June 5, when Commissioner Trey Trainor was sworn in.

Hunter’s departure from the FEC will leave the six-member commissioner with three vacancies, with two commissioners — Ellen Weintraub and Steven Walther — serving on long-expired terms.

Issue One’s “Busted & Broke” report, published in April 2019, previously highlighted the FEC’s dysfunction and illustrated how the FEC lacks the budget, staff, and teeth it needs to enforce the country’s campaign finance laws.