NPR's Diane Rehm Show: Paralysis At The Federal Election Commission And What Can Be Done About It

Guest Host: Indira Lakshmanan 

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Election finance experts predict the 2016 presidential race could see a record $10 billion in campaign spending. Much of the growth in spending is coming from outside groups untethered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. But the head of the Federal Election Commission, tasked with keeping watch over campaign finance, says the agency is in a state of extreme dysfunction. She fears the FEC won’t be able to curb 2016 abuses. Many Republicans say the concerns are exaggerated. We explore the role of the FEC and what changes – if any – are needed.

Guests

Ann Ravel chair of the Federal Election Commission.

Trevor Potter former chair of the Federal Election Commission; president and general counsel of The Campaign Legal Center; and head of the political activity practice at Caplin & Drysdale.

Eric Lichtblau reporter for The New York Times.

Jan Baran head of the election law group at Wiley Rein LLP, former general counsel to the Republican National Committee and author of "The Election Law Primer for Corporations."

To listen, click here.