fecfile

# FEC Filing Analysis

This skill enables analysis of Federal Election Commission campaign finance filings.

## Requirements

- [uv](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/) must be installed
- Python 3.9+

Dependencies are automatically installed when running scripts with `uv run`.

## First-Time Check

The first time this skill is invoked in a session, verify that `uv` is installed by running:

```bash
uv --version
```

If this command fails or `uv` is not found, do not proceed. Instead, inform the user that `uv` is required but not installed, and direct them to the installation guide: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/

## Quick Start

**Always start by checking the filing size:**
```bash
uv run scripts/fetch_filing.py <FILING_ID> --summary-only
```

Based on the summary, decide how to proceed—see **Handling Large Filings** below for filtering and streaming strategies. Small filings can be fetched directly; large filings require pre-filtering or streaming.

**Fetching data:**
```bash
uv run scripts/fetch_filing.py <FILING_ID>                   # Full filing (small filings only)
uv run scripts/fetch_filing.py <FILING_ID> --schedule A      # Only contributions
uv run scripts/fetch_filing.py <FILING_ID> --schedule B      # Only disbursements
uv run scripts/fetch_filing.py <FILING_ID> --schedules A,B   # Multiple schedules
```

The `fecfile` library is installed automatically by uv.

## Field Name Policy

**IMPORTANT**: Do not guess at field names. Before referencing any field names in responses:

1. For form-level fields (summary data, cash flow, totals): Read `references/FORMS.md`
2. For itemization fields (contributors, payees, expenditures): Read `references/SCHEDULES.md`

These files contain the authoritative field mappings. If a field name isn't documented there, verify it exists in the actual JSON output before using it.

## Handling Large Filings

FEC filings vary enormously in size. Small filings (like state party monthly reports) may have only a few