Senate hearing for FEC official who targeted tribes

Wednesday, June 13, 2007  

The Senate Rules Committee is holding a confirmation hearing this morning for four Federal Election Commission nominees.

One of the nominees is Hans von Spakovsky, who has been serving on the FEC on a temporary basis. He has accused tribes of exploiting a "loophole" in federal campaign law in order to make large campaign contributions.

Prior to joining the FEC, von Spakovsky worked at the Department of Justice. According to The Los Angeles Times, he helped quash a Native voting rights investigation in Minnesota.

The hearing starts at 10am and will be broadcast online at http://rules.senate.gov/hearings/2007/live.ram

Get the Story:
Nominations to the Federal Election Commission (June 13, 2007)

Hans von Spakovsky Statement:
Tribal Political Contributions (February 8, 2006)

FEC Advisory:
Indian Tribes (February 2, 2006)

Federal Elections Commission Opinions:
Advisory Opinion 1999-32 (January 28, 2000) | Advisory Opinion 2000-05 (May 15, 2000) | Advisory Opinion 2005-01 (March 14, 2005)

More Advisory Opinion 2005-01 Documents:
Advisory Opinion Draft A and Draft B | Tribe's Request for Advisory Opinion

Relevant Links:
Federal Election Commission - http://www.fec.gov
PoliticalMoneyLine - http://www.politicalmoneyline.com
Center for Responsive Politics - http://www.opensecrets.org

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