Some Senate Commerce Committee Democrats gave Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty a more positive reception during her Wednesday confirmation hearing than observers were expecting, though they used questions to hammer Chairman Brendan Carr’s actions since taking the gavel Jan. 20 and voice concerns about the agency's loss of independence during the Trump administration (see 2504080066). Panel Democrats delivered a harsher verdict to NTIA administrator nominee Arielle Roth, who advanced Wednesday on a nearly party-line vote of 16-12, as expected (see 2504080059). Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to buck his party's opposition (see 2504090037).
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced NTIA administrator nominee Arielle Roth on a nearly party-line vote of 16-12 Wednesday, as expected (see 2504080059). Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to buck his party by supporting her move forward. Panel Democrats gave Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty a more positive reception during her Wednesday confirmation hearing, even as they used some of their questions to hammer commission Chairman Brendan Carr’s actions since he took the gavel Jan. 20 and renew their concerns about the loss of agency independence during the Trump administration (see 2504090060).
Communications policy-focused lobbyists and other observers expect most Senate Commerce Committee Democrats will vote against advancing NTIA administrator nominee Arielle Roth on Wednesday, they told us. Democrats’ criticism of Roth won't ultimately threaten her prospects, though, as observers said they expect Senate Commerce Republicans to almost uniformly support her. Senate Commerce's meeting to vote on Roth will begin at 10 a.m. in 253 Russell. Lawmakers and observers said they expect Democrats to be equally, if not more, critical of Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty during a confirmation hearing that will immediately follow the Roth vote (see 2504080066).
Senate Commerce Committee Democrats appeared set Tuesday afternoon to pillory Republican FCC candidate Olivia Trusty during her confirmation hearing Wednesday over concerns about the commission's independence from the Trump administration and Chairman Brendan Carr’s actions since he took the gavel Jan. 20. Congressional Democrats have amplified concerns about the FCC’s future independence since President Donald Trump’s disputed firing of both party-affiliated FTC commissioners (see 2504010053). Trusty’s hearing will immediately follow a scheduled 10 a.m. Senate Commerce meeting to vote on NTIA administrator nominee Arielle Roth, which is likely to see her advance with strong GOP support and little to no Democratic backing (see 2504080059). Both events will occur in 253 Russell.
The Senate Commerce Committee said Wednesday night that it plans an April 9 confirmation hearing for Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty, as expected (see 2504010053). A panel vote on NTIA administrator nominee Arielle Roth will precede the hearing. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, UnidosUS and the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry responded to the announcement Thursday by calling on Senate Commerce leaders to delay Trusty’s consideration until they get assurances from the Trump administration that it won’t subsequently fire the FCC’s Democratic commissioners. FCC observers have questioned whether President Donald Trump might ax the commission's Democrats after his disputed firing last month of Democratic FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (see 2503200057).
Top Senate Commerce Committee Democrats told us they are considering, but aren't yet committed to, scaling back or ceasing cooperation in advancing Republican nominees to federal entities ahead of a likely imminent panel confirmation hearing for GOP FCC nominee Olivia Trusty. Democrats are eyeing the tactic shift in response to President Donald Trump’s disputed March firing of Democratic FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (see 2503190057) and other actions against independent agencies. Any roadblocks Democrats place against GOP picks would be largely symbolic and likely only delay Senate confirmations, given Republicans' 53-47 majority in the upper chamber, observers said.
The Senate Commerce Committee plans to hold a confirmation hearing March 27 for NTIA nominee Arielle Roth, as expected (see 2503070065). The panel will begin at 2:15 p.m. in 253 Russell. Senate Commerce leaders previously eyed a mid-March hearing for Roth in tandem with Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty (see 2503060066). President Donald Trump nominated Roth, Senate Commerce Republicans’ telecom policy director, in early February (see 2502040056).
President Donald Trump’s unprecedented firing of Democratic FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter on Tuesday doesn’t necessarily mean FCC Democrats Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez are next, industry experts said. Starks has already announced plans to leave the agency this spring (see 2503180067). The two FTC Democrats have vowed to fight.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks’ announcement Tuesday that he plans to resign from the commission in the spring (see 2503180009) is already prompting speculation about potential successors, despite there not being an obvious front-runner. Some officials voiced renewed concerns about whether President Donald Trump will use the upcoming vacancy as an opportunity to erode FCC norms, either by not filling Starks’ role or picking a Democratic nominee who hews more closely to the administration’s telecom policy priorities.
The Senate Commerce Committee has apparently pushed back the confirmation hearing for NTIA nominee Arielle Roth and Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty, several communications sector officials and lobbyists told us Friday. The panel was eyeing March 13 for the hearing (see 2503060066). A new date was not circulating Friday, but some lobbyists expect the hearing to happen later this month. Lobbyists were not certain why Senate Commerce decided to postpone, but some previously noted that it was uncertain whether the panel would be able to include Trusty on March 13's agenda. A Senate Commerce Democratic spokesperson said Thursday afternoon that the minority office still hadn't received the necessary executive branch paperwork to move either nominee forward. President Donald Trump nominated Roth, Senate Commerce Republicans’ telecom policy director, in early February (see 2502040056). He picked Trusty, a Senate Armed Services Committee Republican staffer, for the FCC seat former Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel vacated Jan. 20 (see 2501160077).