Senate Panel to Hear FEC Nominees Next Tuesday
Andrew Woodson and Ashley Stow, nominated by Trump to the Federal Election Commission, face a Rules Committee confirmation hearing.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Elections
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The Senate Rules Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing next Tuesday for Andrew Woodson and Ashley Stow, Trump's nominees to the Federal Election Commission. The hearing schedule did not include a specific time.
Why it matters
The FEC has lacked a quorum since May 1, 2025, because it has fewer than the four commissioners needed to act, and confirming Woodson and Stow would fill two of the four vacancies. Losing even one more commissioner could cause the commission to lose its quorum again.
The FEC needs at least four of its six commissioner seats filled to form a quorum, and it has not had one since May 1, 2025. This is the third time since 2019 the commission has lacked enough commissioners for high-level duties.
The players
Federal Election Commission
The federal agency that enforces campaign finance laws and regulates political spending in U.S. federal elections.
Andrew Woodson
A lawyer at Wiley Rein nominated by Trump to serve on the Federal Election Commission.
Ashley Stow
A former aide to FEC Commissioner Trey Trainor nominated by Trump to serve on the Federal Election Commission.
Shana Broussard
The Democratic chair of the FEC and one of only two remaining commissioners.
The details
Trump nominated Andrew Woodson, a lawyer at Wiley Rein, and Ashley Stow, who previously worked with former FEC Commissioner Trey Trainor, on Feb. 11. Twelve former Republican FEC commissioners have written a letter urging their quick confirmation.
Timeline
May 1, 2025: The FEC lost its quorum of four commissioners.
Feb. 11, 2026: Trump nominated Woodson and Stow.
Next Tuesday: The Senate Rules Committee's confirmation hearing is scheduled.
Political Context
The commission's repeated quorum losses since 2019 have left it unable to act on enforcement and rulemaking for extended periods. Budget cuts and staffing shortages also threaten its ability to clear its enforcement backlog once a quorum is restored.
Without a quorum, the FEC cannot issue enforcement decisions or advisory opinions, which affects how campaign finance violations are handled ahead of elections. Confirming enough commissioners would restore the commission's ability to act on those matters.
The takeaway
The FEC cannot act without four commissioners, so the Senate's handling of these two nominations will determine whether the agency can resume enforcement work. Readers should watch the hearing and any committee vote that follows.
What happens next
The Senate Rules Committee will hold the confirmation hearing for Andrew Woodson and Ashley Stow next Tuesday.
Further reading
For background on how the commission's vacancies affect election oversight, see Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Washington Sun.
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