Week of September 17 - September 21, 2012
Weekly Digest Week of September 17 – 21
COMMISSION MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
On September 20, the Commission held an open meeting. Click here for agendas and related documents for open meetings. Click here for audio recordings for selected meetings, hearings and presentations. No Commission Executive Sessions were held this week. ADVISORY OPINIONS
Advisory Opinions Issued Advisory Opinion 2012-31 (AT&T Inc.). On September 20, the Commission concluded that AT&T may establish a new rate structure for processing contributions to political committees by text message without making in-kind contributions to the political committees. Supplement and Extension of Time
AOR 2012-25 (American Future Fund/American Future Fund Political Action/McIntosh). On September 17, the Commission made public a supplement to Advisory Opinion Request 2012-25. American Future Fund, American Future Fund Political Action, David McIntosh, and David McIntosh for Indiana ask whether they may establish a joint fundraising committee. On September 18, the Commission received an extension from the requestors until October 4, 2012. Statements Issued AO 2012-19 (American Future Fund). On September 19, Commissioner Donald F. McGahn issued a Statement. On September 20, Chair Caroline C. Hunter and Commissioner Matthew S. Petersen issued a Statement.
Advisory Opinions and Requests are available through the Advisory Opinions search page in the Law and Regulations section of the Commission website. LITIGATION Combat Veterans for Congress PAC v. FEC (Case 1:11-cv-02168-CKK). On September 14, the Commission filed a Reply Memorandum in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Hispanic Leadership Fund, Inc. v. FEC (Case 1:12-cv-00893-TSE-TRJ). On September 20, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia heard arguments on plaintiff''''s motion for a declaratory judgment and preliminary injunction. James v. FEC (Case 1:12-cv-01451-JEB-JRB-RLW). On September 18, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order for Designation of Judges to Serve on Three-Judge District Court. The complaint challenges the aggregate biennial limit on contributions to candidate committees under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
Van Hollen v. FEC (Case 12-5117). On September 18, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a Judgment reversing the decision of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in Van Hollen v. FEC and remanding the case to the District Court for further proceedings. On September 18, the Court of Appeals also issued the Mandate. On September 20, the District Court (Case 1:11-cv-00766-ABJ) issued an order referring the matter to the Commission for further consideration. OUTREACH On September 17, Communications Specialist Myles Martin discussed recent developments in campaign finance law with government and political leaders from Argentina as part of the State Department''''s International Visitor Leadership Program. On September 18, Vice Chair Ellen L. Weintraub discussed campaign finance law and Commission operations with government and political leaders from Yemen as part of the State Department''''s International Visitor Leadership Program.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND IT INITIATIVES Candidate and Committee Viewer and Electronic Filing RSS Feed On September 20, the Commission introduced its Candidate and Committee Viewer and an enhanced Electronic Filing RSS feed, two new disclosure tools designed to help the public access federal campaign finance data and information more quickly and efficiently. PRESS RELEASES Court of Appeals Issues Opinion in Van Hollen v. FEC (issued September 19) FEC Issues Advisory Opinion (issued September 20) FEC Releases Two New Disclosure Tools (issued September 20)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS September 20: September Monthly Reports were due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2012 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website. UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETING September 27: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Executive Session. December 12: On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., the Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss several key issues related to its enforcement process, including issues relating to the documents that were released to the public recently. (The hearing was originally scheduled for September 12, 2012.) Any general questions and comments related to the documents can be sent to Documents_Feedback@fec.gov.
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
October 3, Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC. Roundtable Workshops on Reporting for Candidate Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website. October 3, Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC. Roundtable Workshops on FECFiling & E-Filing for PACs and Party Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website. October 3, Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC. Roundtable Workshops on Reporting for PACs and Party Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website. October 3, Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC. Roundtable Workshops on FECFiling & E-Filing for Candidate Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.
UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES October 15: October Quarterly Reports are due. For information on quarterly reporting dates, refer to the 2012 Quarterly Reporting page of the Commission website. October 20: October Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2012 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website. OTHER RESOURCES The 2012 edition of the Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available in the Public Records section of the Commission website. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives and other financial filings. The Record news page is available in the Publications section of the Commission website. Sign up to receive email notification when new articles are posted. The FEC Annual Reports from 1975-2006 are now available on the website. Beginning in 2007, the Commission consolidated its Annual Report with its Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) to provide a single account of the agency''''s activities for each fiscal year. Printed copies of the 2012 edition of Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations are now available. To order, call (800)424-9530 (press 6) or send an email to info@fec.gov. Follow Us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/fec
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