The Federal Election Commission (FEC) officially dipped its toes into the ongoing national debate around artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, publishing a Federal Register notice seeking comment on a petition submitted by Public Citizen to initiate a rulemaking to clarify that the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits deceptive AI-generated campaign advertisements.  The Commission unanimously approved publication of the petition at its August 10 meeting. 

The public is being asked to comment on whether the FEC should initiate a formal rulemaking to specify that using false AI-generated content, sometimes called “deepfakes,” in campaign ads would violate FECA’s prohibition on fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority (52 U.S.C. § 30124).  Currently, there are no AI-specific FEC regulations or guidance governing campaign ads or fundraising.

The decision to seek comment on the petition follows the FEC’s June deadlock on an earlier petition from Public Citizen. FEC Republicans, led by Commissioner Allen Dickerson, argued that the FEC has no authority to address AI-generated or “deepfake” campaign ads under FECA, and should not make rules without further guidance from Congress.  

However, the decision to seek public comment does not mean that the Commission will ultimately issue a proposed rulemaking, much less adopt new AI-specific rules.  The Commission remains divided on whether it has the statutory authority to address AI issues at all.  In voting to advance the petition in June, Democratic FEC Chair Dara Lindenbaum indicated she was “skeptical” that the FEC has existing authority to regulate AI, but supported publishing the petition in the hope of receiving helpful comments on the issue.  At the August 10 meeting, Commissioner Dickerson, despite voting to publish the petition, reiterated his view that this remains an issue for Congress and noted “serious First Amendment concerns lurking in the background of this effort.”

Partisan divisions in Congress also mean an expansion of the Commission’s authority to encompass AI-generated ads is unlikely to become law anytime soon.  In May, Rep. Yvette Clark (D-NY) introduced the REAL Political Advertisements Act legislation to give the FEC authority to regulate the use of AI in campaign ads.  Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) have also introduced a Senate companion bill.  No Republican Members of Congress have yet cosponsored either bill, nor did any congressional Republicans join 27 of their House and Senate colleagues on a July letter to the FEC urging it to move forward with the rulemaking petition.

The FEC will accept public comments on whether to initiate a rulemaking process until October 16, 2023.  

Tags: campaign finance, FEC
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Photo of Matthew Shapanka Matthew Shapanka

Matthew Shapanka is a strategic policy and regulatory attorney who helps technology companies and other businesses navigate complex, high-stakes legislative, regulatory, and enforcement matters at the intersection of law and politics. Drawing on 15+ years of experience across private practice, the U.S. Senate…

Matthew Shapanka is a strategic policy and regulatory attorney who helps technology companies and other businesses navigate complex, high-stakes legislative, regulatory, and enforcement matters at the intersection of law and politics. Drawing on 15+ years of experience across private practice, the U.S. Senate, state government, and political campaigns, Matt develops comprehensive policy strategies that identify regulatory risks and position clients to shape policy outcomes.

Public Policy and Regulatory Strategy

Matt serves as a strategic advisor to Fortune 200 companies on emerging technology policy, including artificial intelligence regulation, connected and autonomous vehicles, semiconductors, IoT, and national security matters. He translates complex legal and technical issues into actionable legislative and regulatory strategy, building the policy frameworks and advocacy infrastructure that enable clients to influence policy. He develops policy collateral for federal, state, and international advocacy, coordinates multi-stakeholder coalitions, and represents clients before Congress, federal agencies, and state legislative and regulatory bodies.

His technology policy experience includes securing unprecedented Presidential intervention in the $118 billion Qualcomm-Broadcom transaction (for which Covington was recognized as The American Lawyer 2019 “Dealmakers of the Year”), advising Fortune 200 companies on Bureau of Industry and Security connected vehicle rules, and counseling major internet platforms on autonomous vehicle policy across dozens of states.

Matt leads Covington’s state public policy practice, managing complex multistate legislative and regulatory advocacy campaigns. His state-level work includes securing a last-minute amendment to California’s 2023 money transmitter legislation on behalf of a fintech client and representing major technology companies on state AI, autonomous vehicle, and political advertising compliance matters across dozens of jurisdictions.

Matt rejoined Covington after serving as Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration under Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), where he negotiated the landmark bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act – legislation that updated presidential election certification procedures for the first time in nearly 140 years. He also oversaw the Committee’s bipartisan January 6th investigation, developing protocols that resulted in unanimous passage of new Capitol security legislation.

Both in Congress and at Covington, Matt has prepared dozens of corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, academics, and presidential nominees for testimony at congressional committee hearings and depositions. He is a skilled legislative drafter and strategist who has composed dozens of bills and amendments introduced in Congress and state legislatures, including many that have been enacted into law.

Election and Political Law Compliance and Enforcement

As a member of Covington’s Chambers-ranked (Band 1) Election and Political Law practice, Matt advises businesses, nonprofits, political committees, candidates, and donors on the full range of federal and state political law compliance matters, including:

Election and campaign finance laws
Lobbying disclosure
Government ethics rules
The SEC Pay-to-Play Rule

He also conducts political law due diligence for M&A transactions, counsels major political funders and donors in compliance and enforcement matters, and represents candidates, ballot measure committees, and donors in election disputes and recounts.

Before law school, Matt served in the administration of former Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA), where he worked on policy, communications, and compliance matters for federal economic recovery funding awarded to the state. He has also staffed federal, state, and local political candidates in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

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