It's an independent regulatory agency in the United States that was established by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to enforce the provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and to oversee the administration of federal campaign finance law. The violations that the FEC investigates can include illegal campaign contributions, failure to properly report contributions and expenditures, excessive contributions, and use of campaign funds for personal expenses.

FEC investigations can be successful, but it is important to note that the FEC has limited resources and enforcement power, which can make it difficult for the agency to fully investigate and enforce campaign finance laws.

There are several ways that the FEC's power and ability to uphold politicians to a higher standard can be strengthened. Some suggestions include increasing the agency's funding and staffing levels, providing the FEC with additional enforcement tools and resources, and strengthening the penalties for violating campaign finance laws. Additionally, reforms to the FEC's governance structure, such as making the agency more independent and less politically polarized, could also improve its ability to enforce campaign finance laws effectively.

If you want to learn more about the FEC and their investigations of politicians, here are some resources to consider:

• The FEC website - The FEC website provides detailed information about the agency, including their mission, history, and operations. You can also find information about the FEC's enforcement actions and investigations, as well as data on campaign finance contributions and expenditures.

• OpenSecrets.org - OpenSecrets.org is a nonpartisan research group that tracks money in US politics and its effect on elections and public policy. They provide a variety of resources related to the FEC and campaign finance, including data on political contributions and spending, analysis of election results, and news coverage of campaign finance issues.

• The Campaign Legal Center - The Campaign Legal Center is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the campaign finance system and promote transparency and accountability in politics. They provide a variety of resources related to the FEC and campaign finance, including analysis of the agency's enforcement actions and investigations, as well as commentary on campaign finance issues in the news.

By consulting these resources, you can gain a more detailed understanding of the FEC and their investigations of politicians. You can also stay informed about campaign finance issues and support efforts to improve transparency and accountability in politics.

If you wanted to encourage the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate more and hold politicians to high ethical standards, there are several actions you can take and organizations you can join or support. Here are some suggestions:

• Contact your elected officials: Reach out to your representatives in Congress and urge them to support measures to strengthen the FEC's enforcement of campaign finance laws. You can find your elected officials' contact information at usa.gov/elected-officials.

• Support organizations that advocate for campaign finance reform: Groups like Common Cause, Public Citizen, and OpenSecrets work to promote transparency and accountability in the political process.

• Educate yourself and others: Learn about campaign finance laws and how they are enforced, and share that knowledge with your friends and family. The more people who understand the importance of campaign finance reform, the more pressure there will be on politicians to act.

• Get involved with local politics: Campaign finance laws vary by state and local jurisdiction, so getting involved in local politics can help you better understand the issues and advocate for change at the grassroots level.

• Vote: Finally, one of the most important actions you can take is to vote in every election. When you cast your ballot, you have the power to support candidates who prioritize ethical and transparent campaign finance practices.

By taking these steps, you can help promote greater transparency and accountability in our political system, and encourage the FEC to do its part in enforcing campaign finance laws.