Latest Developments:
- Administration Nominates Two Attorneys to FEC The President has nominated two well-known campaign finance attorneys to fill seats on the Federal Election Commission: Ashley Stow, of Texas, has been nominated to fill the seat held by James E. Trainor, III for a term expiring April 30, 2029. Stow Nomination Andrew Woodson, of Virginia, has been nominated to fill the seat held by Allen Dickerson, for a term expiring April 30, 2031. Woodson Nomination Both nominees have served as counsel for FEC Commissioners. If confirmed, the FEC will have four members and a quorum for the first time since April 2025; all three former Republican Commissioners left the agency in 2025.
- Proposed Law Seeks Disclosure of Colorado Caucus Activities Colorado lawmakers would have to file monthly reports, posted online, to reveal who is donating to their caucuses and how they are spending that money, if a proposed bill advances. Senate Bill 108“would require caucuses, committees, clubs and other groups of lawmakers to file monthly reports with nonpartisan legislative staff detailing all money they received, accepted or spent,” according to The Colorado Sun. Colorado caucuses would disclose donors – Colorado Sun
- Oregon Lawmakers Defying Prohibition on Fundraising During Legislative Session A Republican lawmaker running for Governor in Oregon openly accepted campaign donations during a legislative session, with others expected to do so as well, testing the prohibition on fundraising while the Legislature is in session. The Legislature’s attorneys reportedly opined on January 20 that the ban on contributions during session violates free speech protections in the Oregon and U.S. constitutions. Oregon House Republicans test rule and Statesman Journal – Oregon house fundraising rule could be unconstitutional
- New Group Offers Access to President for $1 Million Freedom 250 is offering corporate and large donors access to the President for a $1 million contribution in connection with the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, according to an invitation obtained by the New York Times. Confusion has arisen between this entity and America250 – the entity officially set up to plan the celebration; the latter is a nonprofit, bipartisan commission established by Congress a decade ago that is planning more traditional celebrations of the United States. For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access- NYT
- A Look at the Foundation Funding Governor Newsom’s Travels The Los Angeles Times reviewed the California Governor’s disclosure statements and filings from a nonprofit foundation, also financed through corporate donations, which paid for his international climate trips and some domestic travel. Who Pays for Newsom’s Travel? – LA Times
- Ethics Groups Seek Stay of President’s $10 Billion Suit Against IRS The groups Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) and Public Citizen seek to stay the President’s lawsuit seeking billions from the Internal Revenue Service related to leaked tax returns, and to ban any monetary settlement while he is in office. The brief argues: the President’s prosecution of a civil action for damages in federal court raises separation of powers concerns; creates an insurmountable conflict of interest for the government’s attorneys; and any monetary settlement would violate the Constitution’s Domestic Emoluments Clause, which also applies to federal officials, including judges who participate. amicus-brief
In Case You Missed It:
- Court Weighing Legality of Donations for White House Ballroom Project A federal judge is weighing the legality of $400 million in private funding raised for President Trump’s ballroom project and whether private donations can be used to bypass Congressional approval. The case could have wider impact on the increasingly common call for corporate donors to pay for government projects, The Washington Post Ballroom Donations Under Review – Washington Post
- $20 Million to Super PAC Supporting AI RegulationAnthropic is contributing $20 million to Public First Action, “a new bipartisan 501(c)(4) that will support public education about AI, promote safeguards, and ensure America leads the AI race.” Anthropic post The New York Times reports that the super PAC “will be in opposition to super PACs backed by OpenAI’s leaders and investors,” as companies disagree on “safety guardrails” for artificial intelligence. A super PAC reported to be more “regulation-skeptical” is called Leading the Future. Anthropic funding super PAC – NYT
- Curious Campaign Spending in State Disclosures The Sacramento Bee focused on campaign finance spending disclosures that caught their eye, from trips to Las Vegas and Copenhagen to a music festival and cooking classes. Campaign Finance Spending Disclosures – SacBee
- Former San Leandro Councilmember Pleads Guilty in East Bay Bribery Case Ex-Councilmember Bryan Azevedo pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to accept bribes in exchange for using his official position to obtain favorable treatment and city contracts for a housing company, and to lying to federal investigators. DOJ – Former Councilmember pleads guilty
- Stock Trades Tied to Committee Work CNN analyzed stock trades by U.S. Senators to conclude they overlapped with their committee work. Senators’ stock trades directly overlapped with their committee work – CNN
- Eric Adams Fined by New York City Conflict of Interest Board The former Mayor paid a $4,000 fine for misusing City resources and conducting campaign activities during the course of his official duties. Adams had City Hall staffers leave whistles on reporters’ chairs so they wouldn’t feel “unsafe” near his opponent, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in an attack on Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations against him. Adams Fined for Whistle Stunt – NYT