Time to move ahead at the FCC

[Commentary] Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) placed a hold on the Senate vote to confirm Tom Wheeler as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. A vote on Wheeler, a venture capitalist and former trade association executive, has strong bipartisan support and a list of opponents that would make any advocate of free markets proud. So why has Sen Cruz put it on hold?

“The Senator,” said an aide, “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 failed DISCLOSE Act.” It would be completely inappropriate for an independent regulatory agency like the FCC to even attempt unilateral action, especially in the face of strong opposition, on requiring disclosure of financial contributors of television and radio advertisements. It is perfectly understandable and appropriate for Sen. Cruz to raise these questions. On the other hand, DISCLOSE is no reason to hold up the confirmation of Tom Wheeler, who upon confirmation will surely rank near the top of all Administration officials in terms of private-sector experience. The Hill recently reported that “Wheeler’s candidacy for the job has divided liberals. Groups including the New America Foundation, Free Press and Demand Progress have warned that Chairman Wheeler would be too close to the industries he would be in charge of regulating.” We may not agree with Chairman Wheeler on every aspect of every issue, but we seriously doubt that unilateral implementation of the DISCLOSE Act is at the top of his FCC to-do list. On a variety of other fronts, the FCC has decisions to make that -- even if not made exactly to our liking -- have the potential to reduce costs for consumers, spawn faster innovation, and incentivize more capital investment. Let’s get on with it.