Opening Statement

Abstract

I am pleased to appear before you at this oversight hearing to discuss the Federal Election Commission’s operations. The Commission has always had its critics, and does today. And I’d be the first to say that some of the criticisms have merit. But I believe the Commission has made great strides towards improved efficiency and efficacy. We have a relatively new General Counsel, who has reorganized the structure of our legal staff. We have made a promising start at addressing some of the longstanding problems of the agency. The current Commission, with the able support of our Staff Director, Jim Pehrkon, and our General Counsel, Larry Norton, is committed to continued progress towards fulfilling the agency’s mission.