Senate confirms new FEC commissioners, ending long partisan standoff

[babylonsister]

Senate confirms new FEC commissioners, ending long partisan standoff


The Senate has confirmed five new commissioners for the Federal Election Commission, ending a six-month partisan standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats and putting the campaign watchdog back in business.

The new Democratic commissioners in the evenly divided, six-member panel are Steve Walther and Cynthia Bauerly They will join sitting Ellen Weintraub. The new Republican commissioners are Matt Peterson, Don McGahn and Caroline Hunter.

“Confirming these nominations tonight will help restore the American people’s faith that campaign finance laws will be enforced during this presidential election," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said in a statement. "We are also bringing greater transparency to our system of financing elections by ensuring new bundling rules will finally move forward. I am proud to have advanced Steven Walther and Cynthia Bauerly, two exceptional Democratic nominees, and am extremely pleased they have finally been confirmed."

more...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0608/Senate_confirms_new_FEC_commissioners_ending_long_partisan_standoff.html

[crikkett]

1. Just in time for the McNutso Noise machine to complain loudly about how

Obama doesn't need public funding for his campaign but McCain desperately does.

[peacebird]

2. will the FEC now look into McCains questionable finance dealings?

The previous excuse was the board couldn't meet until it was fully staffed. It's staffed now - so when are the hearings?