Senate Commerce Committee to move on FCC pick

The Senate Commerce Committee plans to vote on the President’s pick to chair the Federal Communications Commission as part of a late-summer session that also could advance new cybersecurity legislation. The vote could come as early as July 30 and is likely to be the panel’s last order of business before Congress departs for its yearly August recess.

Both Tom Wheeler, the president’s nominee to lead the FCC, and the committee’s cybersecurity bill are expected to pass easily with bipartisan support. Of course, the committee’s vote wouldn’t install Wheeler as the new head of the FCC — that only comes after full Senate consideration. And it may be months before that occurs: Republicans aren’t willing to advance Wheeler unless President Barack Obama submits a candidate for the FCC’s open GOP slot, but the White House hasn’t yet put forward a Republican name. Senate GOP leaders are believed to have recommended Mike O’Rielly, a chamber telecom aide for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), for the FCC’s only open seat.