May 1, 2008 -- FEC Deal Must Include Full Compliment of Commissioners: Statement of J. Gerald Hebert, Campaign Legal Center Executive Director

Troubling reports are emerging from Capitol Hill that a deal is being discussed to confirm Commissioners for only four of the six slots on the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The proposal is a recipe for continuing paralysis, not a tenable compromise. Intentionally creating a situation that gives any one of four sitting Commissioners complete veto power would be a grave mistake that would not solve the current crisis created by the FEC's lack of a quorum. This is particularly troubling in an enforcement agency where Commissioners are generally selected for party loyalty.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid rightly opposes the four Commissioner concept, as he did yesterday in a letter to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten. There are options for reconstituting a full Commission short of rubber stamping the nomination of Hans von Spakovsky. Senator Reid's ongoing efforts to resolve the current FEC controversy are commendable. The White House, along with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, should stop stonewalling and break the FEC impasse now by confirming six, not four commissioners.

To read the letter, click here.