Sen Thune floats investigation on FCC leaks

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) is asking the Federal Communications Commission to investigate any employee misconduct in the hours ahead of a hectic meeting in March, where the agency approved rules to offer Internet subsidies to low-income Americans. Chairman Thune expressed concern that agency officials might have leaked nonpublic information in an attempt to thwart a last-minute agreement between three commissioners — two Republicans and one Democrat — to change FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal ahead of the vote.

"Does the commission plan to investigate who leaked information about the deliberations, pursuant to commission rules? If not, why not?" Chairman Thune asked in a four-page letter sent to Chairman Wheeler April 15. The agency should "consider this letter a complaint requiring an investigation," according to Chairman Thune. A spokesperson for Chairman Wheeler said the agency had received the letter but had no further comment on a potential investigation.