This file contains archived live captions of the open meeting of the Federal Election Commission held on January 13, 2022. This file is not a transcript of the meeting, and it has not been reviewed for accuracy or approved by the Federal Election Commission. In queue, Madam Secretary. Good morning and happy new year. The open meeting for the 13th of January, 2022 will come to order. Keen observers will note that this is my first opportunity to share an open meeting. It is customary to share a few words . Just very briefly, I am disappointed I am action are many that we are having to do this remotely. I do want to quickly thank the staff or the very warm welcome that I have been given, a really seamless transition into the chair. And for all of their hard work for the American people . On a personal note, I want to take a moment to think my assessor, I have been lightly informed I can't call her that anymore. I think that we all owe her a debt for presiding over a very efficient year where we cleared a historical number of enforcement matters and really met the dual emergencies of a period of global pandemic head on. She has been both a friend and a trusted partner in the running of this agency. My thanks again publicly to her. And with that, we have matters on today's agenda, one is being held at the request , the other is a -- I believe it speaks for itself, it is quite short. The intention is to move from the current process by which an independent expenditure committee or hybrid pact expresses its intention of such not by filling out one standing alone, but by filling out form one and the cover letter expressing their intention in terms of operations. I think it is time for the commission to move on in this matter and formalize the process by which a fairly standard part of the regulated community and the agency. With that, -- Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am looking forward to another productive year. I am happy to support this change, it is a small good thing, the current process I think arose out of something that former Commissioner McGann and I scrolled on in a conference room many years ago and it will make life easier for the filers, it will make life easier for our staff who review the forms when they come in. You know, it is a small good thing. I would like to note that a little over a week we will mark the 12th anniversary of the citizens United decision in a couple of months, the 12th anniversary of the speech now decision that brought in the area of super PACs that have raised and spent billions of dollars during that 12 year period and perhaps surprisingly, perhaps not . If one pours through our regulations book, one would find no regulation that actually addresses super PACs in particular. There obviously covered by other regulations, more general regulations. They have really called a change in the way money is spent in our elections and yet the commission has never held a hearing, never launched a rulemaking to address the impact of super PACs on the rest of the system and whether other roles such as coordination, solicitation, foreign national band, disclosure , need to be amended in light of the entities and how they function in our political system. So, I am happy to support this , but if anybody wants to engage in a broader rulemaking that would address something more than checking the box, I am here for you. However, I do appreciate trying to do small good things. Happy to support. Thank you Commissioner Weintraub. Thank you Mr. Chairman, first I want to say in queue for the kind remarks. A unique and wonderful working relationship working with you in a vice chair roll. I have been, agree, I do not want to be referred to as chair for quite some time again. While it might be a small item, I think it helps to improve efficiency which I think is one of the things that I believe that we can look forward to this year with true focus on making the agency run in the most effective way. At the appropriate time, I will be supporting that motion and I look forward to working on that. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner Broussard. Is there further discussion? I see none. If one of my colleagues would be kind enough to as it is tradition, make the motion on my behalf. Thank you Mr. Chairman, I would move the adoption of your form. Thank you, is there any discussion of motion? I am seeing none. All in favor, please say I. The commission is adopted unanimously. I believe that concludes the agenda for this morning. Mr. staff director, are there any other matters that are required? Mr. Chairman, there are no such matters. Thank you very much. Weintraub? I think it might be a good B opportunity to announce that we have changed the format of what was going to be our San Diego regional conference in February to a virtual format, I'm sure we are going to be putting out an announcement about that but any opportunity to get the word out is probably appreciated by the folks who might be interested in attending. Many of whom may be watching. Think you miss Weintraub . Thank you. [ Event concluded ]