As used in this part:

(a) Commission means the Federal Election Commission.

(b) Commissioner means a member of the Federal Election Commission, in accordance with 52 U.S.C. 30106.

(c) Designated Agency Ethics Official means the employee designated by the Commission to administer the provisions of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. appendix), as amended, and includes a designee of the Designated Agency Ethics Official. The General Counsel serves as the Commission's Designated Agency Ethics Official.

(d) Employee means an employee of the Federal Election Commission and includes a special Government employee as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(a).

(e) Ex parte communication means any written or oral communication by any person outside the agency to any Commissioner or any member of any Commissioner's staff, but not to any other Commission employee, that imparts information or argument regarding prospective Commission action or potential action concerning any pending enforcement matter.

(f) Inspector General means the individual appointed by the Commission to administer the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. appendix), and includes any designee of the Inspector General.