Extension and Expansion of Administrative Penalty Authority of Federal Election Commission Through 2018

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3487, a bill to reauthorize the Federal Election Commission's Administrative Fines Program through 2018.

This program allows the FEC to streamline ``straightforward disclosure violations'' and enact a penalty. Since its introduction in 1999, the AFP has improved the enforcement process, decreased late filings, and assessed over $4 million in fines. Reauthorizing the AFP program is a reasonable and appropriate step.

The FEC is a small agency charged with the monumental task of overseeing the massive, complex, and eroding campaign funding system. In the wake of Citizens United, we need them more than ever. Instead, the agency has been mired in partisan games, distracting it from important functions such as conducting audits or issuing regulations, advisory opinions, and enforcement actions. But now, with a new, confirmed full slate of commissioners, I look forward to the agency moving ahead and returning to its core duties instead of the partisan squabble of the past.

Even though my Republican colleagues and I don't always see eye-to-eye on these campaign finance issues, we all agree that the AFP program has been successful. I am very proud to stand with Chairman Miller on this issue.

I urge all Members to support H.R. 3487. I urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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