The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing this morning to consider the nominations of Ann Miller Ravel and Lee E. Goodman to serve as Members of the Federal Election Commission.  It was smooth sailing for the nominees, with Members of Congress and nominees alike lamenting the current state of affairs and agreeing to work for a better future.  Hard questions were averted or deflected and points of agreement emphasized.  Specifically, nominees Goodman and Ravel agreed to withhold judgment on amendments to the enforcement manual until they learned more, and Mr. Goodman noted that they shared a sense the agency could do more with its website to inform the public.  There were appropriate comments of respect for the First Amendment, the will of Congress, and the need for the law to be fairly and faithfully executed.

The hearing was everything a “noncontroversial” nominee could hope for.

One interesting note:  Senators Schumer and Cochran expressed bi-partisan support for electronic filings of Senate reports.

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Photo of Robert Lenhard Robert Lenhard

Robert Lenhard is a member of the firm’s Election & Political Law practice group and advises corporations, trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals on compliance with federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws.

Mr. Lenhard routinely assists clients in…

Robert Lenhard is a member of the firm’s Election & Political Law practice group and advises corporations, trade associations, not-for-profit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals on compliance with federal and state campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws.

Mr. Lenhard routinely assists clients in establishing and operating federal and state PACs, compliance programs associated with campaign finance and pay-to-play laws; advises advocacy groups and their donors; conducts compliance trainings and audits of federal and state lobbying and political programs; and counsels clients on compliance with congressional gift and travel rules.

Prior to joining the firm in 2008, Mr. Lenhard served as Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 2007 and Vice Chairman of the agency in 2006, during which time the agency handled over 10 major rulemakings, had among its most productive years in enforcement and audit, and adopted several reforms to the enforcement process.  Mr. Lenhard has also led the Presidential Transition Team that reviewed the FEC for the incoming Obama administration in 2008-2009.