The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has taken legal action against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) over a campaign finance loophole allegedly exploited by Republican candidates. The DCCC filed a lawsuit in D.C. District Court, claiming that Republicans are using joint fundraising committees to disguise attack ads as fundraising efforts, thus bypassing fundraising limits.
Senate Democrats had previously raised concerns about this tactic and urged the FEC to rule on its legality. However, the commission's 3-3 vote along party lines allowed Republicans to continue with their ads. The DCCC's general counsel, Rachel L. Jacobs, emphasized that federal law imposes limits on party committee expenditures coordinated with candidates, accusing Republicans of exploiting a loophole to spend party committee funds on candidate ads beyond the permissible limits.
The DCCC is seeking a court ruling on the legality of this practice before the upcoming election on Nov. 5. FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey expressed confidence in the FEC prevailing in what he deemed a 'frivolous lawsuit' brought by the DCCC.
On the other side, the National Republican Senatorial Committee dismissed the lawsuit as a 'desperate stunt,' pointing out that the ads in question had been approved in the past. With the election drawing near, both parties are intensifying their efforts to secure victories in the House and Senate.
The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a prominent group supporting House Republicans, reported record fundraising of $81.4 million in the third quarter of 2024. Additionally, the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC backing Republican candidates, announced a fundraising total of $114.5 million for the same period.
