Dec 20, 2007 -- FEC Faces Possible Shutdown: Statement of J. Gerald Hebert, Campaign Legal Center Executive Director

Minority Leader McConnell seems fully determined to fulfill his prophecy of an FEC shutdown. Given the opportunity for a straight up-or-down vote on Hans von Spakovsky, McConnell blinked and made unreasonable demands for 60 votes to confirm the other nominees. Von Spakovsky had no business serving on the Federal Election Commission as a recess appointee for as long as he did, given his reprehensible record of vote suppression and partisan abuse of his office while serving at the Justice Department.

Senators Feingold and Obama joined by Senators Brown, Kerry, Dodd and Reed deserve much credit for holding the line against political expediency in this case and for drawing the attention of their colleagues to von Spakovsky's disgraceful record at the Justice Department. Majority Leader Reid deserves credit as well for shoring up the votes necessary to do the right thing rather than the easy thing with regard to this nominee.

The blame for any FEC shutdown now lies squarely at the feet of Senator McConnell and President Bush. The President should see the writing on the wall and offer a suitable candidate in von Spakovsky's place.