Rosenworcel May Have Opposed FCC Meeting Votes; Markey, Wyden Lift Senate Holds
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel opposed the FCC voting on four major items that were pulled from the commissioners' Thursday meeting, two informed sources told us Friday. Rosenworcel told Chairman Tom Wheeler and another person she wouldn't vote for the items at the meeting, said one. The other, an industry representative, said Rosenworcel told Wheeler she wasn't comfortable voting on the items after congressional Republicans urged the FCC to refrain from taking controversial actions as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. GOP commissioners made it clear the agenda items were controversial (see 1611150052).
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An eighth-floor FCC official disputed those characterizations, telling us the withdrawal of the items from the meeting "was the chairman's unilateral decision." Commissioners and their aides didn't comment Friday. The items that were pulled were an order and Further NPRM on business data services, an order on Phase II of the mobility fund, an NPRM on mobile roaming obligations and Voice over LTE regulatory classification, and a video description order, plus a "consent agenda" Enforcement Bureau item (see 1611160048). A commission spokesman Wednesday said the agenda was changed "in light of the congressional letters we received."
Meanwhile, two Democratic senators lifted holds on Rosenworcel's nomination to another term as FCC member (see 1611170061). Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., lifted his hold after he and Rosenworcel had positive conversations and agreed to continue working on advancing remaining items under consideration at the commission, emailed a Markey aide. An industry official told us that Markey's hold on Rosenworcel had been lifted at the behest of Democratic Senate leadership.
A spokesperson for Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., emailed: "Now more than ever, strong leadership is needed at the FCC to protect consumers from consolidated powers in the cable and telecommunications industry. Senator Wyden was assured that Commissioner Rosenworcel is committed to working toward consensus on all items before the Commission this year, including the Mobility Fund, and has lifted his hold on her nomination." Rosenworcel's nomination also faces Republican opposition.
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn denied rumors circulating Friday that she might soon step down from the FCC so as not to have to serve under a Republican chair. “Commissioner Clyburn has made no immediate plans to depart the agency,” her spokesman said. “Her current term ends on June 30, 2017. Until she departs, the Commissioner will maintain her focus on being a champion for competition, affordable communications services and strong consumer protections.” If Clyburn left the commission early, it's possible the FCC wouldn't have enough of a quorum to act, some industry officials noted. A former Clyburn staffer also told us the rumor was categorically false.