What is the function of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) plays a crucial role in the realm of campaign finance in the United States. Its primary function is to enforce federal campaign finance laws, which includes overseeing and regulating the fundraising and spending of money by candidates for federal office. The FEC ensures transparency in campaign financing and compliance with legal limits on contributions and expenditures. This oversight helps maintain the integrity of the electoral process by preventing corruption and allowing for public accountability of campaign funds.

In contrast, creating new federal laws for voting, collecting taxes on political contributions, or overseeing the activities of political parties are functions that fall outside the specific governance and regulatory framework established for the FEC. The agency's responsibilities are distinctly aligned with the enforcement of existing laws concerning campaign finance rather than legislative creation or broader party oversight.