Washington – U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo would trigger federal regulation of a Colorado campaign for a state constitutional amendment limiting public services for illegal immigrants if he donates as much as $50,000 to the effort, federal officials say.
Tancredo, a Littleton Republican, said last month he wanted to donate to the Defend Colorado Now campaign, which is pushing for the measure. Tancredo is a leading proponent of a get-tough approach to illegal immigration.
But Tancredo’s treasurer, Jon Ponder, sought an opinion from the Federal Election Commission on how much Tancredo’s political committee could give without forcing FEC regulations on the state campaign. Currently, the group is regulated only by the state, as an issue committee.
Ponder had said the $50,000 figure was used as an example in the FEC request, and Tancredo might not have contributed that much.
In a draft opinion to be presented to the full commission today, FEC staff members said they determined that such a sizable contribution would trigger federal regulation.
But the FEC said Tancredo could use campaign money independently to advertise his endorsement of the initiative.
The FEC staff did not address what consequences a smaller donation would have.
Tancredo representatives could not be reached Tuesday evening to explain how the decision would affect his actions.
