Ted Cruz blocks FCC nominee

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is blocking the confirmation of Tom Wheeler, President Barack Obama's nominee for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

A spokesman for Sen. Cruz said the senator has placed a hold on the nomination until Wheeler clarifies whether he would require more disclosure about the donors behind political TV ads. "The senator is holding the nominee until he gets answers to his questions regarding Wheeler’s views on whether the FCC has the authority or intent to implement the requirements of the failed Congressional DISCLOSE Act," said Sean Rushton, a spokesman for Sen. Cruz. FCC regulations require TV broadcasters and cable providers to identify the "true sponsor" of all ads. Some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), have urged the FCC to use that power to require that political groups advertising on TV reveal their major donors. But Sen. Cruz argues the Democrats are trying to use the FCC to implement the goals of the Disclose Act -- which would have required political groups to reveal more information about their donors. He and other Republicans claim the bill would have chilled political speech.