Solutions

What can be done to stop coordination?

The way current anti-coordination rules are being interpreted and enforced makes a mockery of the country’s long-standing anti-corruption laws, which the Supreme Court has routinely upheld because large political contributions pose a risk of corruption and giving the appearance of corruption.

There are two main ways to stop coordination: The country needs a functional Federal Election Commission (FEC) committed to enforcing the law, and Congress needs to strengthen anti-coordination rules.

What the FEC should do

In recent years, a dysfunctional FEC has often deadlocked on complaints against candidates and groups that appear to be violating coordination rules — with one bloc of commissioners raising concerns about serious violations and another bloc taking a hands-off approach to the enforcement of rules that are on the books.

Making matters worse, the FEC has been without the quorum necessary to conduct most official business — including taking enforcement actions — since September 1, 2019. This is unacceptable. That’s why Issue One has been calling on the president to nominate — and the Senate to confirm — new FEC commissioners who are committed to upholding the law as Congress intended it to be interpreted.

What Congress should do

Additionally, Congress should strengthen the existing anti-coordination rules by adopting the bipartisan Political Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R. 679), which would help ensure that outside groups like super PACs and dark money groups truly operate independently from candidates.

The Political Accountability and Transparency Act is sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), John Katko (R-NY), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), and Greg Steube (R-FL).