FCC Nominees Against the Clock

Multiple holds may prevent the Senate from advancing long-stalled Federal Communications Commission nominations before Congress adjourns, which could come as soon as Dec 21 if lawmakers resolve government funding negotiations. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) still maintain holds on the nomination of FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr for a full term. The holds on Carr are also blocking FCC nominee Geoffrey Starks from being seated as a commissioner, as lawmakers want to advance the two nominations as a pair. The latest obstacle is Sen Manchin, who announced he would block Carr in response to the FCC pausing its Mobility Fund wireless subsidy auction to probe whether wireless carriers knowingly supplied inaccurate broadband coverage data for the program. Sen Manchin wants “a firm timeline on the Mobility Fund funds to be released,” an aide said. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Manchin’s longtime partner in criticizing FCC broadband mapping, disagrees, saying the FCC has made “a correct decision” and “ought to get it right before” disbursing subsidies based on inaccurate information. Wicker’s office confirmed he’s pleased enough with the investigations that he is no longer trying to add a broadband mapping rider to a government funding bill. Sen Sullivan, meanwhile, is still blocking Commissioner Carr following a months-long fight over the FCC’s rural health care program subsidies. He secured a private meeting with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and a commitment, unveiled in a Pai letter, to overhaul the program rules in 2019. But Sen Sullivan isn't sure that's enough to lift the hold.