The Federal Election Commission voted yesterday, 4 to 2, not to appeal a U.S. District Court opinion mandating either a new rulemaking or further explanation of the political committee definition - specifically, how "527s organizations" are regulated. According to the Washington Post, [Commissioner Michael] Toner said he sought to write a rule severely restricting contributions to 527 groups, but lost the vote yesterday. He was joined by fellow Republican Hans A. von Spakovsky. All three Democrats on the commission -- Robert D. Lenhard, Ellen L. Weintraub and Steven T. Walther -- joined Republican David M. Mason in the majority vote. Legislation has passed the House regulating 527 organizations. It has been folded into the House lobby reform bill currently awaiting conference with the Senate. Senate Democrats will likely oppose the measure.