Federal Election Commission

The Federal Election Commission is an independent U.S. regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign-finance law. Its jurisdiction covers the financing of campaigns for the House, Senate, presidency and vice presidency. It collects and publishes financial reports from federal candidates, political parties and political action committees, providing public access to information about money raised and spent in elections. The agency also administers contribution and expenditure restrictions and the public financing of presidential campaigns. Established through amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1974, the commission began operating in 1975.