The Senate voted 53-45 Wednesday to confirm Republican Commissioner-designate Olivia Trusty to a full, five-year term that begins July 1, as expected. The chamber already confirmed her Tuesday to finish the term of former Democratic Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, which ends June 30. Once sworn in, Trusty will shift the FCC to a 2-1 Republican majority and restore the commission's quorum.
The Senate’s Monday executive calendar said two cloture motions for Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty would “ripen” at 5:30 p.m., meaning they would be eligible for votes this week, as expected (see 2506130065). Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., filed last week for cloture on both of Trusty’s nominations -- one to finish out the term of former Democratic FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, which ends June 30, and a subsequent full five-year term. Trusty is very likely to clear the Senate’s majority-vote cloture threshold for executive branch nominees on what lobbyists expect to be unanimous GOP support. Thune previously indicated he was likely to move up Trusty in confirmation priority after Republican FCC commissioner Nathan Simington abruptly departed the commission earlier this month (see 2506040073). Simington’s exit and the simultaneous departure of Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks left the commission in a 1-1 tie and lacking a quorum.
The Senate confirmed Republican Olivia Trusty to the FCC Tuesday on a largely party-line, 53-45 vote, as expected. The vote covered only her nomination to finish the term of former Democratic Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, which expires June 30. The chamber is likely to confirm Trusty on Wednesday to a full five-year term, which will begin July 1. Once sworn in, Trusty will shift the FCC to a 2-1 Republican majority. The simultaneous resignations earlier this month of Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington and Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks left the agency without a quorum and in a 1-1 tie.
Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told us Monday night she will vote against Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty’s confirmation on the floor, potentially presaging broader Democratic opposition ahead of likely floor votes this week to advance her confirmation. Cantwell’s new opposition to Trusty is notable, as she was one of six Senate Commerce Democrats who voted to advance the nominee out of committee in late April.
Lawmakers and lobbyists told us they expect the Senate will hold confirmation votes on Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty as soon as this week, after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., filed cloture on her Thursday night (see 2506120097). Thune previously indicated he was likely to move up Trusty in confirmation priority after Republican FCC commissioner Nathan Simington abruptly departed the commission earlier this month (see 2506040073). Simington’s exit and the simultaneous departure of Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks left the commission in a 1-1 tie and lacking a quorum.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., filed cloture Thursday night on Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty, setting up potential floor votes on her confirmation next week. Thune sought cloture on Trusty's nomination to two terms -- one to finish out that of former Democratic Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, which ends June 30, and a subsequent full five-year term. Thune and other Senate Republicans have seen greater urgency to prioritize Trusty's confirmation after GOP Commissioner Nathan Simington resigned last week, shifting the commission to a 1-1 tie and leaving it without a quorum.
FCC commissioners may end up deciding on a single item at their June 26 meeting -- text telephone-based telecom relay service rules -- the only NPRM teed up for a vote (see 2506050056). The other items, addressing cable regulation and broadband data collection, may likely wait until the Senate confirms Olivia Trusty and restores a quorum lost with the departures of Commissioners Nathan Simington and Geoffrey Starks. The situation raises interesting issues for Chairman Brendan Carr and Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, officials noted.
Republican lawmakers have begun taking sides publicly and behind the scenes in favor of a range of contenders to succeed departing GOP FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington as he prepared to exit the agency Friday afternoon (see 2506040073). Former Breitbart executive Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, publicly endorsed Gavin Wax, Simington's chief of staff, for the role. Other officials and GOP insiders are eyeing different candidates as the agency enters an indefinite period with only two commissioners. Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks was also set to leave Friday, leaving the commission with a 1-1 partisan tie.
Top Senate Republicans told us Wednesday that they're likely to prioritize confirmation votes for GOP FCC nominee Olivia Trusty much earlier than expected as a result of Commissioner Nathan Simington’s abrupt exit. Simington said Wednesday he plans to depart the FCC “at the end of this week,” as we reported (see 2506030069). Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said he will resign Friday, also as expected (see 2505220043). The departures mean the FCC's party makeup will stand at a 1-1 tie by week’s end. That will also leave the commission below the statutory three-commissioner quorum, posing potential problems for Chairman Brendan Carr’s agenda heading into the commission’s planned June 26 meeting (see 2506040061).
Numerous industry and FCC officials told us Tuesday that FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington is expected to leave the agency or announce an imminent departure this week. Simington and his office didn’t respond to requests for comment. Simington’s term expired last year, but he was expected to stay until the end of 2025.