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Phone: 202-694-1220 Toll Free: 800-424-9530
www.fec.gov

For Immediate Release Contact: Judith Ingram

March 8, 2017 Julia Queen
Christian Hilland

FEC Will Not Appeal District Court Decision in Level the Playing Field v. FEC

WASHINGTON The Federal Election will not appeal the recent decision of the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia in Level the Playing Field, et al. v. FEC (Case 1:15-
cv-01397-TSC).

In 2015, Plaintiffs filed suit against the Commission, challenging the Commissions dismissal of
two administrative complaints regarding alleged violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971, as amended, and FEC regulations by the Commission on Presidential Debates and other
respondents and the FEC denial of a petition for a rulemaking to address the criteria used to
determine who may take part in certain general-election debates.

On February 1, the District Court ordered the Commission to reconsider Plaintiffs allegations
and evidence, issue a new decision on the two administrative complaints and issue a new
decision on the rulemaking petition. The Commission voted on February 22 not to appeal the
District Courts decision.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers
and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of
campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice
Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated
by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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