WASHINGTON - Committee on House Administration Democrats canceled an oversight hearing on the functionality of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) this morning to attend a Democratic Caucus meeting discussing the Speaker's impeachment announcement.

"The Speaker assured the American public that Congress would be business as usual despite this new 'impeachment inquiry' announcement last night. However, it's Day One, and already we are seeing the Democrats' political agenda impede legislative business. This morning, our committee was scheduled to hold an important oversight hearing of the Federal Election Commission, but that was unfortunately canceled to accommodate political planning meetings," said Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-Ill.).

"During the hearing, I planned to address my concerns about the current, partisan nature of the Commission that I believe stems from its Chair Ellen Weintraub, who has overstayed her term by 11 years and continues to publicly weigh-in on issues, not within the jurisdiction of the FEC, to the national media. Chair Weintraub has made over ten appearances on cable television within the last month and has accepted over $28,000 for international travel and over $9,000 for domestic travel, significantly more than the other commissioners combined."

"Her response to my initial inquiries about her partisan behavior suggested that 'recent developments in U.S. elections' have expanded the Commission's jurisdiction to areas not supported by statute. I am unaware of any changes to federal statute made by Congress that would allow for an 'expanded role' of the FEC by the Chair's definition, and the Chair should, like the Democrats, stick to her day job of carrying out the mission of the Federal Election Commission."

Ellen Weintraub

Ellen Weintraub appears on national media over 10 times in the last month to discuss areas outside of the FEC's jurisdiction.

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