Earlier this month, after months of inaction, President Donald Trump nominated a pair of Republicans to the Federal Election Commission — a move that could reanimate the campaign finance regulator after nearly 10 months devoid of its law enforcement, rulemaking and investigatory powers.
But the process of returning the FEC to full strength in time for the 2026 midterm elections could still take weeks or even months more, further eroding oversight of the billions of dollars coursing through federal elections.
A NOTUS analysis of FEC commissioners nominated by presidents during the past 25 years indicates that the median number of days it takes the Senate to confirm a candidate is 91. In extreme cases, FEC commissioner nominees languish for more than a year — if they ever receive a hearing at all.