WASHINGTON — Last night, the Committee on House Administration’s Ranking Member, Vern Ehlers, R-Mich., appointed Representative Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to serve on the Congressional Task Force that will investigate the contest between Democratic candidate Christine Jennings and Republican incumbent Representative Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.

In his April 16, 2007 letter to the Committee Chairwoman, Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif., Ehlers stated, “Despite my deep reservations about the hasty initiation of this task force, the Republican members of the Committee will be involved in its works.” Ehlers also cautioned that interfering with the ongoing Florida state judicial proceedings could deprive the Committee of a complete unbiased advisory that could assist the Task Force in its future investigations.

The three member Task Force, led by Representative Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas, held its first briefing today to discuss the status of the Florida state proceedings, the discovery expectations of both parties involved, and software tests conducted by the Florida state authorities. The Task Force is expected to meet again to discuss how it will proceed within the next couple of weeks.

For more information, contact the Republican Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.