After seemingly endless deadlock, the Senate yesterday approved nominations of five Federal Election Commission nominees, giving the embattled watchdog agency a full compliment of six commissioners for the first time in years. Leaders in both parties hailed the progress, which was held up over whether commissioners should be subject to separate votes.

After reaching compromise on the last controversial Republican nominee, the Senate approved nominations of Cynthia Bauerly and Steven Walther, both Democrats, and Republicans Caroline Hunter, Donald McGahn and Matthew Petersen. The five newly approved commissioners join current incumbent Ellen Weintraub, the panel's third Democrat.

The new commissioners will be sworn in once President Bush officially approves the nominations, something that is likely to happen today, and after logistical questions are resolved with each of the nominees, though FEC spokesman Bob Biersack said the panel should have all five members officially on board in short order.

The initial controversy erupted when Republicans nominated former Justice Department official Hans von Spakovsky, who Democrats charged had been involved in opinions that led to some voters being denied their right to cast ballots. Republicans wanted a vote on all the appointed commissioners at the same time, while Democrats wanted to vote on each nominee individually, in order to vote against von Spakovsky. Von Spakovsky withdrew his name from consideration earlier this year.

Despite the years of conflict over seating the full panel, Senate leaders from both parties heralded the compromise. "Confirming these nominations tonight will help restore the American people's faith that campaign finance laws will be enforced during this presidential election," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement. "We are also bringing greater transparency to our system of financing elections by ensuring new bundling rules will finally move forward."

Both parties lobbed accusations that the other had blocked the nominations. "A fully functioning, bipartisan FEC is long overdue," Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "I'm glad that Democrat obstruction on nominees is over so the FEC can now resume its critical role of enforcing election laws and ensuring that this election season is fair and equitable to all who are involved."

Once they arrive, commissioners will have a heavy caseload ahead of them. While the FEC does not comment on complaints until official action is taken, Biersack said the panel typically has at least 100 cases ahead of them, even with a full compliment of commissioners. Too, the group will have to rule on new lobbyist disclosure regulations thanks to a bill passed last year, the deadline for which has already passed, and on several advisory opinion requests.