Will a Blue Wave Crash Down on FCC Chairman Pai?

A potential blue wave coming for Capitol Hill could leave Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai drowning in time-consuming congressional oversight sessions. House Democrats, who question Pai’s actions on everything from his repeal of Obama-era net neutrality rules to his deregulation of the media marketplace, say they would pick up the pace of oversight hearings and make document requests of the high-profile agency head. Pai's headaches could come from various House panels, from Commerce to Judiciary to Oversight. “We’re going to require a lot more transparency than we’ve had under Republicans for sure,” said senior House Commerce Committee member Yvette Clarke (D-NY). She said she expects “a lot more inquisitiveness about some of the unilateral decisions that he’s made,” singling out the net neutrality repeal in particular. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a senior Judiciary Committee member, said her committee "would be warranted in taking a look at" Pai's revival of the regulatory loophole known as the UHF discount, which lets broadcasters substantially exceed federal ownership limits.