Controversial Federal Election Commission (FEC) nominee Hans von Spakovsky withdrew his name from consideration, and now observers are more optimistic that the FEC will soon be up and running. Von Spakovsky's confirmation was problematic due to his positions on voting rights while in the Justice Department. Some Democrats blocked his nomination because of his work to suppress the voting rights of minorities and the elderly, such as by promoting voter ID requirements. Von Spakovsky's recess appointment expired at the end of last year without Senate confirmation. Senate Democrats continued to insist on a separate vote on von Spakovsky while Senate Republican leaders, pushed to have von Spakovsky approved along with the other FEC nominees as a single package. In his letter of resignation, Spakovsky explains, "[t]his process has been extremely hard on my family and quite frankly, we do not have the financial resources to continue to wait until this matter is resolved." The Washington Post quoted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV); "His withdrawal today is a victory for our electoral process. With Mr. von Spakovsky now removed, I anticipate that we will be able to swiftly put a functioning FEC in place."