Withdrawal of Michael O'Rielly's nomination creates uncertain future at FCC

President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw his nomination of Michael O'Rielly, a Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission, for a new term has thrown into question the coming political balance-of-power and policy agenda at the agency. Republicans on the commission currently hold a 3-2 majority, but that could change depending on the outcome of the November presidential election and whether someone is appointed to O'Rielly's seat by the end of the year. Without a 2020 appointment, which policy experts think is unlikely unless President Trump reverses course on Commissioner O'Rielly, the FCC would potentially be left with a 2-2 political split that would only be broken by whichever party wins the White House after the election.