 Nearly three years after first having been nominated to the federal agency that oversees elections, Austin attorney James Trainor, a conservative Republican, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday along partisan lines, 49 to 43. The vote making Trainor a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission means the agency will have a quorum for the first time since August and can now make decisions on investigations and enforcement actions.Democrats and Republicans were sharply split on his candidacy with Democrats unhappy that a Democrat was not nominated to fill another vacant spot.

<p>&nbsp;Nearly three years after first having been nominated to the federal agency that oversees elections, Austin attorney James Trainor, a conservative Republican, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday along partisan lines, 49 to 43. The vote making Trainor a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission means the agency will have a quorum for the first time since August and can now make decisions on investigations and enforcement actions.Democrats and Republicans were sharply split on his candidacy with Democrats unhappy that a Democrat was not nominated to fill another vacant spot.</p>

News Briefs from the Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX

<p>News Briefs from the Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX</p>

Austin News Briefs - Austin American Statesman

Austin - Austin attorney, Trump volunteer confirmed to Federal Election Commission post

Advertisement