S. 478 would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with a Federal Election Administration.
Detailed Summary
Federal Election Administration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA) as an independent establishment to enforce federal campaign finance laws.
Requires enforcement proceedings for violations of campaign finance laws to be conducted before administrative law judges. Allows any final determination made by an administrative law judge to be appealed to the FEA for final agency action, subject to judicial review. Authorizes the FEA to impose civil penalties, issue cease-and-desist orders, and report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Allows the FEA to conduct audits and field examinations of campaign committees. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations.
Directs the Comptroller General to examine and report to Congress on the Attorney General's enforcement of the criminal provisions of federal campaign finance laws.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
Matt
Currently we have a very messed up system, with six members on the FEC. There are many ties and the FEC really doesn't have the power it needs to do its' job. The FEC's hands are tied, and now that the senate will not approve new members proposed by the President, they are at even a greater disadvantage. The point is we need a change for the better, and if we can't eliminate Campaign Finance Law, the least we could do is enforce it and carry it out effectively.