Senate Commerce Committee Democratic leaders hope to blunt the impact of delayed consideration of FCC nominee Gigi Sohn by resetting a vote to advance her as early as January. The committee moved Wednesday not to include Sohn on the docket for its Dec. 15 executive session (see 2112080078) amid continued wavering among a handful of panel Democrats. Commerce Republicans are eyeing whether to press the committee to go through the entire confirmations process again on Sohn. The delay could lengthen the amount of additional time the FCC will remain in a 2-2 stalemate; the Senate confirmed Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel this week on a bipartisan 68-31 vote (see 2112070071).
Jimm Phillips
Jimm Phillips, Associate Editor, covers telecommunications policymaking in Congress for Communications Daily. He joined Warren Communications News in 2012 after stints at the Washington Post and the American Independent News Network. Phillips is a Maryland native who graduated from American University. You can follow him on Twitter: @JLPhillipsDC
The Senate Commerce Committee won't consider Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn at an expected Dec. 15 executive session, a panel aide confirmed Wednesday night. That likely means President Joe Biden would have to renominate Sohn when the Senate reconvenes in January, lobbyists told us.
The Senate’s Tuesday reconfirmation of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to another term (see 2112070029) provides more certainty for upcoming policy moves, but it isn’t likely to mean any major changes in how the agency functions because it will remain in a 2-2 tie for now, lawmakers and experts told us. Democrats are relieved Senate action forestalled the possibility the FCC would shift to a 2-1 GOP majority in January but believe the ongoing stalemate underscores the need to confirm Democratic commission nominee Gigi Sohn, whose path forward remains uncertain (see 2112010043). Republicans see the ongoing stalemate as an opportunity for Rosenworcel to continue seeking bipartisan consensus.
The Senate reconfirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Tuesday on a healthy 68-31 bipartisan vote, as expected. The chamber previewed its coming approval Monday night, when senators invoked cloture by a similar 64-27 margin.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appeared on the cusp Friday of securing a healthy bipartisan Senate reconfirmation vote, which her supporters see as vindication after months of behind-the-scenes nomination drama that led some observers to view her as an underdog to remain at the commission just days before President Joe Biden picked her in October (see 2110080043). Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., filed for cloture on Rosenworcel Thursday, setting up a Monday vote that would be the penultimate hurdle before her reconfirmation. The Senate Commerce Committee, meanwhile, hasn’t finalized whether Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn will get a vote at a potential mid-month executive session.
The Senate voted 64-27 Monday night to invoke cloture on FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s reconfirmation, as expected. The bipartisan cloture vote sets up a likely final confirmation floor vote as soon as Tuesday morning. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., hadn’t set a final vote time for Rosenworcel as of Monday night.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's reconfirmation prospects grew stronger Wednesday after the Senate Commerce Committee advanced her nomination to the floor on a bipartisan vote, as expected (see 2111300064). A subsequent confirmation hearing for Democratic commission nominee Gigi Sohn, meanwhile, cemented perceptions that her chances of Senate approval are imperiled. Panel Republicans revealed the extent of their concerns about her candidacy during the hearing, over her views on net neutrality and other matters, also as expected (see 2111300068). At least three Republicans are considering holds on Sohn, including two over the tenor of her past tweets critical of major telecom and media companies. NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson also drew lawmakers' attention but little criticism.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is expected to easily advance out of the Senate Commerce Committee during a Wednesday meeting (see 2111230066) with unanimous support from panel Democrats and potentially most Republicans too, lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. Democratic FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya is expected to get far less Republican support, amid some members’ threats to place holds on his confirmation (see 2111170059). The panel’s reception for Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn is expected to divide sharply along party lines, while NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson could draw significantly less attention (see 2111300068). The meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m. in 253 Russell.
Senate Commerce Committee members’ treatment of Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn during her Wednesday confirmation hearing is likely to sharply divide along party lines, in sharp contrast to a potential overwhelming bipartisan panel vote to advance commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s reconfirmation to the full chamber (see 2111300064), lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson may also get some senators’ attention during the hearing but is likely to avoid harsh questioning due to expectation that Sohn will be the main focus. The hearing will immediately follow the 10:15 a.m. Senate Commerce executive meeting in 253 Russell.
NAB and board member Byron Allen appeared to be partially at odds Monday on FCC nominee Gigi Sohn, before her Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing (see 2111230066). NAB wants Sohn to submit an amended ethics agreement with more information on her association with broadcast programming streaming service Locast, but Allen declared his strong support for her confirmation. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy and a group of five Republican current and former elected officials said Monday they support Sohn, whose nomination has already drawn strong GOP pushback (see 2111170071). Sohn and NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson, who’s also to appear before the Senate Commerce panel, highlighted improving U.S. broadband access and affordability, in responses to prehearing questionnaires.