546 U.S. GOVERNMENT MANUAL

Information Act, should be directed to (phone, 202–898–3811) or any regional the Office of the Executive Secretary office.

For further information, contact the Corporate Communications Office, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 Seventeenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20429. Phone, 202–898–6996.

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20463 Phones: 202–219–3420; 800–424–9530 (toll-free)

Chairman DANNY L. MCDONALD Vice Chairman LEE ANN ELLIOTT Commissioners JOAN D. AIKENS, JOHN WARREN MCGARRY, TREVOR POTTER,S COTT E. THOMAS Statutory Officers: Staff Director JOHN C. SURINA General Counsel LAWRENCE M. NOBLE Inspector General LYNNE A. MCFARLAND

The Federal Election Commission exercises exclusive jurisdiction in the administration and civil enforcement of laws regulating the acquisition and expenditure of campaign funds to ensure compliance by participants in the Federal election campaign process. Its chief mission is to provide public disclosure of campaign finance activities and effect voluntary compliance by providing the public with information on the laws and regulations concerning campaign finance.

The Federal Election Commission is an elections, and limitations and independent agency established by prohibitions on contributions and section 309 of the Federal Election expenditures made to influence Federal Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (2 elections (Presidency, Senate, and U.S.C. 437c). It is composed of six House). Commissioners appointed by the Public Funding of Presidential Elections President with the advice and consent of The Commission oversees the public the Senate. The act also provides for financing of Presidential elections by three statutory officers—the Staff certifying Federal payments to primary Director, the General Counsel, and the candidates, general election nominees, Inspector General—who are appointed and national nominating conventions. It by the Commission. also audits recipients of Federal funds Activities and may require repayments to the U.S. Treasury if a committee makes The Commission administers and nonqualified campaign expenditures. enforces the Federal Election Campaign Disclosure The Commission ensures Act of 1971, as amended (2 U.S.C. 431 the public disclosure of the campaign et seq.), and the Revenue Act, as finance activities reported by political amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). These committees supporting Federal laws provide for the public funding of candidates. Committee reports, filed Presidential elections, public disclosure regularly, disclose where campaign of the financial activities of political money comes from and how it is spent. committees involved in Federal The Commission places reports on the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 547 public record within 48 hours after they call 202–219–4136, or 800–424–9530 are received and computerizes the data (toll-free). contained in the reports. Employment Inquiries regarding Contribution Limits and Prohibitions employment opportunities should be The Commission administers and directed to the Director, Personnel and enforces the law with respect to limits Labor Management Relations. Phone, and prohibitions on contributions and 202–219–4290, or 800–424–9530 (toll- expenditures made to influence Federal free). elections. General Inquiries The Information Voluntary Compliance The Services Division provides information Commission seeks voluntary compliance and assistance to Federal candidates, with the above provisions of the law by political committees, and the general providing information through a toll-free public. This division answers questions telephone line, publications, seminars, on campaign finance laws, conducts regulations (which clarify the law), and workshops and seminars on the law, and advisory opinions (which interpret the provides publications and forms. Those law in specific, factual situations). seeking information or materials should Enforcement The Commission has call 202–219–3420, or 800–424–9530 exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the (toll-free). civil enforcement of the campaign Media Inquiries The Press Office finance laws. Possible violations of the answers inquiries from print and law are brought to the Commission’s broadcast media sources around the attention, either internally (through country, issues press releases on report review procedures and audits) or Commission actions and statistical data, externally (through complaints filed by responds to informational requests, and the public or referrals from other distributes other materials. All persons government agencies). The Commission representing media should direct seeks to resolve compliance matters inquiries to the Press Office. For further through conciliation and may bring suit information, call 202–219–4155, or when conciliation fails. It also defends 800–424–9530 (toll-free). the law in court. Public Records The Office of Public Records, located at 999 E Street NW., Sources of Information Washington, DC, provides space for Clearinghouse on Election public inspection of all reports and Administration The Clearinghouse statements relating to campaign finance compiles and disseminates election since 1972. It is open weekdays from 9 administration information related to a.m. to 5 p.m. and has extended hours Federal elections. It also conducts during peak election periods. The public independent contract studies on the is invited to visit the Office or obtain administration of elections. For further information by calling 202–219–4140, or information, call 202–219–3670, or 800–424–9530 (toll-free). 800–424–9530 (toll-free). Reading Room The library contains a Congressional Affairs Office This collection of basic legal research Office serves as primary liaison with resources, with emphasis on political Congress and executive branch agencies. campaign financing, corporate and labor The Office is responsible for keeping political activity, and campaign finance Members of Congress informed about reform. It is open to the public on Commission decisions and, in turn, for weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. informing the Commission on legislative For further information, call 202–219– developments. For further information, 3312, or 800–424–9530 (toll-free).

For further information, contact Information Services, Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20463. Phone, 202–219–3420 or, toll-free, 800–424–9530.