FEC Unable to Act After Commissioners Drop to Two
The Federal Election Commission is effectively stalled after Commissioner Trey Trainor announced he will resign, reducing the board to two members and leaving the agency without the four‑member quorum required to open investigations, issue penalties, adopt rules or conclude audits. The article — published Oct. 4, 2025 — notes this follows earlier departures of Republican Allen Dickerson and the firing of Democrat Ellen Weintraub, and explains that FEC staff can still maintain reporting databases but cannot perform most enforcement or policy functions until new commissioners are appointed.
Politics
Elections
📌 Key Facts
- Trey Trainor announced he will resign as an FEC commissioner, effective the coming Friday (reported Oct. 4, 2025).
- The FEC requires four commissioners for a quorum; with Trainor's departure the commission is down to two members and cannot vote on substantive matters.
- Earlier this term Republican Allen Dickerson left and Democrat Ellen Weintraub was fired by President Trump — Weintraub has publicly said the firing was improper, and commissioners have not been replaced.
- Operational consequence: staff can maintain the public database and routine filings, but the FEC cannot start or conclude investigations, issue penalties, adopt rules, or conduct audits without four votes.