Senate Panel to Approve 3 for FEC , but Republicans Likely to Fight on Floor

Source: CQPolitics

Senate Panel to Approve 3 for FEC , but Republicans Likely to Fight on Floor
By Catharine Richert, CQ Staff
Inching closer to the end of a protracted battle over who should regulate elections, the Senate Rules Committee expects easy approval Wednesday of three nominees to sit on the Federal Election Commission.

But that doesn’t rule out fireworks after the committee vote.

The Republican Party is short one commissioner nominee after controversial candidate Hans von Spakovsky backed out last week. Aides say Republican leadership is likely to object when a four-nominee package comes up for approval on the Senate floor, perhaps as early as this week.

Democrat Cynthia L. Bauerly and Republicans Caroline C. Hunter and Donald F. McGahn are due for committee consideration Wednesday. Democrat Steven T. Walther has already been approved by the Rules Committee and would be part of a four-nominee floor vote.

Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, a Democrat, is remaining on the panel. No action is needed by the Senate to allow her to stay in that slot.



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