Washington Outlook: CAPITAL WRAPUP

CAMPAIGN CLEANUP?

The Federal Election Commission, seen as a toothless tiger by campaign-finance reformers, wants to put some bite back into federal campaign disclosure laws. It's asking Congress for power to streamline disclosure rules, require electronic filings, and get more frequent fund-raising reports. With a major campaign-finance overhaul dead this year, the FEC's bipartisan recommendations represent a modest reform. The commission also has a political motive for acting: A House panel has scheduled a Mar. 31 hearing on the FEC's failure to pursue evidence of illegal foreign donations.EDITED BY OWEN ULLMANN