CREW Awaits White House Response to FEC Petition

Federal Agencies, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), The White House, Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, a broad coalition of civic groups led by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) announced the success of a petition drive aimed at forcing President Obama to reform the broken Federal Election Commission (FEC). Through a process set up by the White House, more than 25,000 people joined in the coalition’s demand that the president replace the five FEC commissioners who continue to serve, despite expired terms. The Obama administration has promised an official response to any petition that crosses the 25,000 signature threshold.

“The people have spoken, and now we’ll see if the White House is listening,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “The FEC is a dysfunctional mess, and the president will have to answer for the problem. It is time for President Obama to appoint new commissioners who will faithfully enforce our nation’s campaign finance laws.”

The petition succeeded despite serious technical glitches within the White House system. Numerous citizens expressed their frustration when they were repeatedly unable to sign after creating an account.

“The success of a petition highlighting the problems of an obscure public agency shows just how important fair elections are to the American people,” said Ms. Sloan. “President Obama has ignored the FEC’s failings long enough. While an effective FEC should be a no-brainer for someone who has advocated for campaign finance reform, the president has also now embraced his own super PAC. His response to this petition will help clarify which side he is on.”

Joining CREW in this petition drive were: Democracy 21, Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, Americans for Campaign Reform, League of Women Voters of the U.S., Common Cause, Public Campaign, United Republic, MapLight, and CREDO Action Network.

Click here to sign CREW's petition.

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