McConnell Statement on Withdrawal of FEC Nominee Hans von Spakovsky ‘Senate Democrats set a troubling precedent with their partisan obstruction of a highly qualified nominee to the FEC’
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Friday regarding Hans von Spakovsky’s decision to withdraw as a nominee to the Federal Election Commission following the Senate Democrat leadership’s obstruction of his nomination:
“I am deeply disappointed by the decision of Hans von Spakovsky to withdraw his nomination to the Federal Election Commission. Senate Democrats set a troubling precedent with their partisan obstruction of a highly qualified nominee to the FEC—something that has never been done during my time in the Senate, regardless of who was in the majority. Senate Democrats have politicized one more function of the legislative branch that had traditionally been a partisan-free zone.
“As a distinguished Justice Department lawyer with expertise in voter and election law, he was an ideal choice for the FEC, and his tenure there generated nothing but praise. But, once again, liberal interest groups did their best to manufacture controversy and, once again, Senate Democrats played along.
“Looking to the November elections, it is imperative that we have a fully functioning, bipartisan FEC. New nominees should be voted on and confirmed without any more political games.
“I would personally like to thank Hans for his outstanding service while at the FEC and express sincere regret to him and his family for the deplorable manner in which he was treated.
“I wish him all the best in what will certainly be a bright future.”