Lacy, et al. v. FEC (25-1808)
Summary
On June 9, 2025, the United States Justice Foundation and Policy Issues Institute, its President James V. Lacy, and Alexander Tomescu (plaintiffs) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Commission’s dismissal of their administrative complaint against National Public Radio (NPR).
Background
Plaintiffs filed an administrative complaint with the FEC on October 10, 2024, alleging that NPR violated the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) by making excessive and prohibited corporate contributions to certain federal candidates and failing to report independent expenditures expressly advocating the election of these same candidates. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that NPR does not qualify for the press exemption and seek to have it regulated as a political action committee that engages in coordinated, federal activity.
On February 24, 2025, the Commission voted 4-0 to dismiss the complaint and close the file.
Plaintiffs allege the FEC acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner and contrary to the law in dismissing the complaint and seek injunctive and declaratory relief. They also seek an order that the FEC conform to the declaration within 30 days.
Source: FEC Record - June 2025