FEC Cancels 2006 Conferences

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission announced today that it was canceling three spring 2006 conferences.  Each year, the FEC sponsors sessions where Commissioners and staff conduct a variety of technical workshops on federal campaign finance law.  The sessions are intended to assist candidates and committees in complying with the requirements of the statute. 

Unexpected budget constraints in 2006, including the government-wide rescission enacted in December of 2005, have forced the Commission to search for savings.  These cuts are particularly difficult for agencies like the FEC whose budget is predominantly used for direct staff costs, leaving relatively little flexibility to make reductions.   The Commission has made a number of adjustments internally, but was also forced to take this action in order to meet its new funding level.

The Commission hopes to resume its conference program in fiscal 2007, which begins this October.  In the interim, the FEC intends to offer other educational opportunities for members of the regulated community.  More details about these programs will be provided on the Commission’s website at www.fec.gov as they become available.