In 1975, Congress created FEC as an independent regulatory body to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).

The FEC discloses campaign finance information, enforces the provisions of the act, and oversees the public funding of presidential elections.

By law, no more than three of the six members of the commission can be members of the same political party.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

In 1974, amendments were made to toughen campaign laws after the Watergate scandal in 1972. The new amendments established strict disclosure requirements for campaign donations, set specific limits for those donations, instituted public financing for presidential elections, and established the Federal Election Commission to govern the process.