Democratic Senators demand changes to FCC Republican nominee's confirmation

The Federal Communications Commission is one step closer to being fully staffed, but Democratic Sens are fighting Republican Sens on details for Republican nominee Brendan Carr's confirmation. During a hearing on Aug 2, members of the Senate Commerce Committee voted to approve the confirmations of Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel and Republican Brendan Carr to the FCC panel of Commissioners. Current Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s reconfirmation to the FCC was also approved by lawmakers. The trio’s confirmation will proceed to a Senate-wide vote, requiring a simple majority for approval. If it passes, the Commission will be at full quorum, going from two Republicans and one Democrat to three Republicans and two Democrats.

Despite advancing, Democratic Sens contested Pai and Carr’s confirmations. Some Democrats, including Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI), voted against Pai’s renomination. Democrats voted along party lines against Carr’s nomination, saying that while they had no issue with Carr being nominated to his first year-and-a-half term, they did not yet want to agree to approving a second five-year term. Commerce Committee’s Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) noted Senate leaders of both parties were negotiating a deal for a final vote on the confirmations. According to Sen Nelson, the agreement would only include approval of Carr’s first year-and-a-half term. Other Democrats cited precedent as reason for pushing back against approving Carr to two terms. “We’re trying to keep the traditions of the committee intact,” Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) argued as he explained that the committee had not heard from current Democratic Commissioner Mignon Clyburn as to whether or not she would like to be renominated.