Chairman Wheeler won't make 'ironclad commitment' to leave under new president

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said that he would not make an “ironclad commitment” to step down under a new president during an awkward exchange with a top Republican lawmaker.

“FCC chairmen have traditionally resigned from the FCC when a new president is inaugurated,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) said. “That enables the new president to nominate a chairman of the FCC who is from the same party as a new president. So my question — you can probably figure out where I’m going with this — is do you intend to respect that tradition and resign from the FCC when the new president takes office unless explicitly asked to stay on?” Chairman Wheeler, whose term technically expires in 2018, would not commit to leaving his post next January, but suggested he realizes that would be in line with the norm. “It’s a ways off,” he said. “I understand precedent; I understand expectations. I also understand that 10 or 11 months is a long time. So it’s probably not the wisest thing in the world to do to make some kind of ironclad commitment, but I understand the point you’re making.” “And you understand the tradition that historically has been observed with regard to that?” Chairman Thune asked. "I understand the point,” Chairman Wheeler responded.