FEC Approves Four Advisory Opinions

FEC Approves Four Advisory Opinions

Washington – At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC/ the Commission) approved four Advisory Opinions.

In Advisory Opinion (AO) 2007-23, the Commission unanimously concluded that the Independence Party of New York qualifies as a state party committee under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and FEC regulations.

In Advisory Opinion 2007-24, the FEC unanimously concluded that Democratic candidate Jim Burkee and Republican candidate Jeff Walz may jointly raise and spend funds for their campaigns in Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional district, as long as they adhere to existing FEC rules for cost allocation and joint fundraising.

The FEC, by a vote of 4-1, approved Advisory Opinion 2007-26, which concluded that Aaron Schock, a state representative in Illinois and now a candidate in Illinois’ 18th Congressional district, may:

• donate federally permissible funds remaining in his state campaign account to state and local candidates and nonfederal accounts of State and local party committees;
• refund donations of any amount to donors who gave to the state campaign subject to state law;
• donate state campaign funds to certain charitable organizations; or
• retain the funds in the state campaign account indefinitely, subject to state law.

The FEC, by a vote of 4-1, approved Advisory Opinion 2007-29, which concluded that Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL/2) may donate an unlimited amount of federal campaign funds to his wife’s campaign for local political party office. 

Finally, the Commission carried over to the meeting of December 14 its consideration of an Advisory Opinion Request from Holland & Knight, LLP.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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