Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential run for president has ignited controversy over her right to inherit over $90 million in campaign funds from President Biden’s campaign, following a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the conservative group Citizens United and Republican officials from 16 states and the Virgin Islands.
The complaint argues that since neither Biden nor Harris are currently the party nominees, Harris should not access these funds, citing federal election law.
FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey indicated that the situation is complex, with potential challenges both at the agency and in court, while Democratic FEC Vice Chair Ellen Weintraub asserted that Harris is entitled to the funds since she has always been part of the campaign committee.
“I think it’s really complicated, is the short answer,” Cooksey said.
“I think it’s going to have to go through a process through the FEC. I think I expect there’s going to probably be challenges to that at the agency and probably in the courts, as well.”
“It doesn’t look that complicated to me,” Weintraub said.
“The bottom line is it’s the same committee,” Wientraub said. “She’s always been part of that committee; she never had a separate contribution limit apart from this committee that her name’s already on. It’s not just me. Lawyers all over town seem to be saying the same thing.
“Someone could undoubtedly come up with a technical argument, and I would keep an open mind, but it doesn’t seem all that complicated to me.”
The likelihood of a timely resolution from the FEC seems low, potentially allowing Harris to use the funds before any decision could impact the 2024 election.
“The odds of all this happening and getting resolved before November are, practically speaking, not very good,” Weintraub said.
