Week of July 5 - July 9, 2010

Weekly Digest

Week of July 5 – 9

COMMISSION MEETINGS

The Commission did not hold an Executive Session or Open Meeting this week. Sunshine Act Notices for Executive Sessions are here. Agendas and related documents for Open Meetings are here. Audio recordings for selected meetings, hearings and presentations are here.

ADVISORY OPINIONS

Request Received

AOR 2010-14 (DSCC). On July 9, the Commission made public Advisory Opinion Request 2010-14 (DSCC). The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) asks whether it may make disbursements from its recount fund before the 2010 general election date to pay for recount-related expenses. The DSCC also asks whether it may allocate expenses that are attributable to both recount activities and campaign activities using certain allocation methods. The Commission must issue a response no later than 60 days after receipt of a complete request, that is, by September 7, 2010.

Concurring Opinion Issued

AO 2010-07 (Yes on FAIR). On July 6, the Commission made public a concurring opinion of Chairman Matthew S. Petersen and Commissioners Caroline C. Hunter and Donald F. McGahn in Advisory Opinion 2010-07. On July 9, the Commission made public a concurring opinion of Vice Chair Cynthia L. Bauerly and Commissioners Ellen L. Weintraub and Steven T. Walther. On June 14, the Commission approved AO 2010-07, concluding that Members of Congress may solicit unlimited donations on behalf of Yes on FAIR during the period before the initiative qualifies for the November 2010 general election ballot, and may solicit up to $20,000 from individuals after the initiative qualifies for the ballot. The Commission could not render an opinion as to whether Members of Congress may solicit funds outside the Act’s limitations and prohibitions after the initiative qualifies for the ballot.

Advisory Opinions and Requests are available here.

LITIGATION

Beam v. FEC (formerly Beam v. Gonzales). On July 6, the Commission filed a Motion in Limine and Memorandum in Support of Its Motion in Limine in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. On the same day, plaintiffs filed a Motion for Relief from Judgment and/or Order. The Commission argues that the plaintiffs have failed to uncover evidence of a violation of the Right to Financial Privacy Act, the sole claim remaining in the case.

PRESS RELEASES

FEC Takes Final Action On Six Cases  (issued July 8)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

July 8:  Georgia Pre-Primary Reports were due.  For information on reporting dates for this election, click here.

UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETINGS

July 14: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Executive Session.

July 15: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Open Session. When the Commission releases an agenda, it will be available here.

UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES

July 15:  Oklahoma Pre-Primary Reports are due.  For information on reporting dates for this election, click here.

July 15: July Quarterly Reports are due. For information on reporting dates, click here.

July 20: July Monthly Reports are due. For information on reporting dates, click here.

OTHER RESOURCES

The July issue of The Record is here. Sign up here to receive email notification when a new issue of the Record is posted.

The monthly supplements to the FEC’s Campaign Guides are here.