Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across all legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
      FEC Record: Litigation
- ›
      CREW v. FEC challenges dismissal of administrative complaint (22-3281)

FEC Record: Litigation*CREW v FEC* challenges dismissal of administrative complaint (22-3281)December 2, 2022 On October 27, 2022, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW or plaintiff) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Commission’s dismissal of its administrative complaint against American Action Network (AAN). Background On June 7, 2012, CREW filed a complaint with the FEC alleging AAN violated the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) by failing to register as a political committee based on independent expenditures and electioneering communications it produced between June 23, 2009, and June 30, 2011. On June 24, 2014, the Commission failed by a 3-3 vote to find reason to believe that AAN violated the Act and dismissed CREW’s complaint. CREW challenged that dismissal and on September 19, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted CREW’s motion for summary judgment and remanded for reconsideration within 30 days. On October 18, 2016, the Commission failed by a 3-3 vote to find reason to believe AAN violated the Act and voted 5-1 to close the file. CREW sought judicial review and on March 20, 2018, a district court judge remanded the matter to the Commission and ordered it to conform with the judgment within 30 days. On May 10, 2018, the Commission, by a 3-1 vote, was unable to find reason to believe that AAN violated the Act, and on August 29, 2022, voted to dismiss the remanded complaint against AAN. Among other things, the plaintiff asks the court to: declare that a group’s electioneering communications constitute federal election activity and may demonstrate a group’s major purpose is to influence federal elections;declare the major purpose test compares a group’s federal campaign activity to its other spending in that same calendar year to determine its major purpose;declare the FEC’s dismissal of MUR 6589R (AAN) on remand was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law; andorder the FEC to conform to such declaration within 30 days. Resources CREW v. FEC (22-3281) litigation page
 Author
          David GarrCommunications Specialist


Read next: CLC v. FEC challenges dismissal of administrative complaint (22-3319)
 Related: Explore legal resources »


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          No FEAR Act
          Strategy, budget and performance
 Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
          FOIA
 OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms