Bennett Praises White House Nomination of Matthew Petersen to the FEC
May 22, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) commended the president today on his decision to nominate Matthew S. Petersen, a Utah native, to serve on the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
“Matt has done an outstanding job as the Republican chief counsel and he understands these issues as well as anybody in Washington. We will hate to lose him on the committee staff, but I think the president has made an outstanding choice. I expect his confirmation will proceed without any difficulty,” said Bennett, ranking member on the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
This afternoon President Bush announced his intention to nominate Petersen to the FEC to serve for the remainder of a six-year term ending April 30, 2011.
“The White House acted quickly in nominating Matthew Petersen to fill the sixth and final slot on the Federal Election Commission,” said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “This prompt action provides a path toward seating a fully functioning, bipartisan commission. I appreciate the promise of the Majority Leader for a speedy review of Mr. Petersen’s record and look forward to his swift and successful confirmation.”
Petersen currently serves as Republican chief counsel on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Prior to this, he served as counsel on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration. Petersen received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia.
Petersen awaits confirmation by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and will then join the Democratic nominees, Cynthia Bauerly and Steven Walther and Republican nominees, Caroline Hunter and Donald McGahn, for approval by the full Senate. Traditionally FEC nominee are approved by the Senate en bloc to maintain bipartisanship. The five nominees will join Democrat Ellen Weintraub, the only current commissioner on the FEC. Upon Senate approval, the FEC will have six members reviving the commission into working status for the election year.