Votelaw, Edward Still's blog on law and politics

AP reports: A key senator expressed support Wednesday for efforts to overhaul the Federal Election Commission, saying he may propose legislation aimed at ending deadlocks on the panel.

Sen. Trent Lott, chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, said he is considering introducing a bill that would reduce the six-member commission to five members.

"That will guarantee a result in every case," Lott, R-Miss., said at a committee hearing on the FEC. -- Trent Lott May Propose Trimming FEC (AP via Newsday.com)

The Campaign Legal Center quotes Trevor Potter's testimony: "First, the agency could move to a system like the one used by the International Trade Commission, where tie votes result in a matter going forward, rather than being dropped. Second, we could move to a system with an odd number of Commissioners, or one with a tie-breaking chair. Third, we could have a system in which ties at the Commission would be subject to immediate, de novo review by federal courts.

"Any of these proposals would be an improvement over the current system." -- Legal Center: Senate Hearing "An Important Step Toward FEC Reform" (Campaign Legal Center)

(By the way, on this one, I invite essays about why some or all of these are stupid ideas. Please click on the "comments" link below.)