The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will allow hearings for those accused of federal election law violations. According to CQ Politics; The decision, which makes permanent a pilot hearing program that began in February, is an attempt to make the enforcement process more transparent and participatory. For the first time, candidates and other political groups and operatives will have the opportunity to argue their case directly before the commissioners. It will create what Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, whose office shepherded through the rule change, called "a dialogue." And it's what election lawyers and those regulated by the FEC have been calling for years. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports on the FEC nominees that are still in limbo. These conflicting blog posts discuss the ramifications here and here.