Senate heads into tech and telecom sprint

Senators' year-end to-do list includes key Federal Communications Commission nominations and more funding for broadband and antitrust efforts. All eyes are on the Democrats’ social spending package, which includes money for broadband and antitrust enforcement and gives the Federal Trade Commission a long-sought fining authority. White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese projected confidence that the House would pass the package this week. Even if that happens, it will still need Senate approval, which will likely be pushed to December. The Senate Commerce Committee is holding a confirmation hearing November 17 for FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel and FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya. Their nominations are key to securing Democratic majorities on the commissions, which would enable the agencies to pursue progressive priorities like net neutrality and tougher antitrust enforcement. The committee ended up splitting consideration of Rosenworcel’s nomination for another term as commissioner from that of Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society], Biden’s other FCC pick. It also needs to consider Alan Davidson’s nomination to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.