The de facto “shutdown” at the Federal Election Commission has officially dragged on for more than 200 days.
Since April 30, the FEC has been unable to investigate complaints, issue new rules or advisory opinions, hold public meetings, conduct audits and fine political committees that run afoul of the law. The departure of the last remaining Republican commissioner, Trey Trainor, last month left the two remaining Democrats, Shana Broussard and Dara Lindenbaum, unable to carry out even administrative matters like scheduling and canceling public meetings.
Campaigns for the 2026 midterm elections are ramping up, but neither Congress nor the White House appear poised to address this this year.