Secretaries of State Express Support for Legislation Eliminating Obsolete Commission

WASHINGTON – Today, the Subcommittee on Elections conducted a hearing on H.R. 672, legislation introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., to eliminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) after recent reviews demonstrated that it has outlived is purpose since its creation in 2002 – a cut that would save taxpayers $14 million annually.

Subcommittee Chairman Gregg Harper, R-Miss., issued the following statement after the hearing:

"The Election Assistance Commission is the epitome of ‘business as usual' in Washington; a program with diminishing responsibilities and escalating staffing costs that will not go away. Keeping this commission afloat when it has so obviously outlived its usefulness and has mismanaged its resources is simply indefensible. I appreciate the valuable feedback and support I've received from election officials across the country and look forward to continuing to work with them as we advance this important legislation."

At the hearing, Secretaries of State from New Hampshire, Mississippi, and Florida all highlighted a recent resolution overwhelmingly passed by the National Association of Secretaries of State calling on Congress not to reauthorize or fund the EAC. "With the disbursement of the requirements payments complete, and with the required research concluded, now is the appropriate time to terminate the EAC," Florida's Secretary stated.

Nearly a decade after its creation, and years since it accomplished its primary objectives, the EAC continues to operate with little benefit to the elections community. Last year NASS renewed their 2005 resolution, stating the EAC has "served its purpose."