Lee Goodman, a Republican appointee to the Federal Election Commission, announced his resignation Wednesday, leaving the deeply divided panel with a bare quorum to conduct business. Goodman, who has pushed for less regulation of money in politics during his four years on the panel, will rejoin the Washington-based law firm Wiley Rein, which specializes in election law and government ethics. His last day at the FEC will be Feb. 16. With Goodman’s departure, the FEC has a bare-minimum quorum of four members — two Republicans, one Democrat and one independent — whose unanimous votes are now required to take official action.
And the panel could soon lose another commissioner: Steven T. Walther, an independent appointed in 2006 who often votes with the Democrats, also is considering stepping down, the Center for Public Integrity reported in December. Walther did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
If Walther departs and a new appointee is not immediately confirmed, the commission would be unable to take official action, such as enforcing regulations, issuing advisory opinions or approving audit reports.
Full Article: FEC commissioner’s departure leaves panel with bare-minimum quorum – The Washington Post.