Following on the heels of a decision in late July granting The National Defense PAC's (NDPAC) motion to stay discovery in its case against the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the FEC acknowledged yesterday that rules preventing PACs from both contributing to candidates and conducting independent expenditures were unconstitutional. NDPAC was represented by the Center for Competitive Politics (CCP), Dan Backer of DB Capitol Strategies, Benjamin Barr, and Stephen Hoersting.Yesterday's settlement effectively forfeits the FEC's ability to enforce regulations requiring separate PACs for independent expenditures and candidate contributions, provided those activities are conducted from segregated bank accounts. The settlement follows last month's successful motion preventing the FEC from examining NDPAC's documents, deposing its executives or otherwise subjecting the organization to a burdensome investigation. It also gives permanent effect to a preliminary injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on June 14.
FEC Settles National Defense PAC Case - Super Duper PACs a go...
Center for Competitive Politics
