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.

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.

David Spooner, Washington counsel for the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, said that while the U.S. trade representative's China policy speech was underwhelming, he doesn't think the possibility of renewing 549 exclusions that expired at the end of last year will be the only olive branch to importers hurt by the China trade war. "Will we see other [expired] exclusions open to renewal? A new window open for exclusions? I hear 'yes.' When that will happen, and what that will look like, remains unclear," Spooner said at a virtual USFIA conference Nov. 9.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Friday she plans to press forward with plans to hold floor votes that day on the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR-3684) and a rule setting up consideration of the Build Back Better Act budget reconciliation package (HR-5376) despite opposition from Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders. House Democratic leaders set up the votes as a compromise aimed at advancing HR-3684 while appeasing Communications Subcommittee member Kurt Schrader of Oregon and five other party centrists who are withholding support for HR-5376 until the Congressional Budget Office releases a score on that measure, a process that may take weeks. HR-5376 would fail if all six centrists voted against it since all House Republicans are expected to oppose the measure. “As we’ve consistently said, there are dozens of our members who want to vote both bills … out of the House together,” said CPC Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., in a statement. “If our six colleagues still want to wait for a CBO score, we would agree to give them that time -- after which point we can vote on both bills together.” Pelosi later told reporters she believes "there are a large number of" CPC members "who will vote for" HR-3684 without simultaneous consideration of HR-5376. "I have" a "secret whip count" and "a pretty good feel" for where the Democratic caucus stands, she said. President Joe Biden urged House members earlier Friday to pass HR-3684 and HR-5376, saying that would “say clearly to the American people ‘we hear your voices. We’re going to invest in your hopes.’” Both measures include billions of dollars for broadband, though the amount in a Thursday revised draft of HR-5376 is significantly lower than Democrats originally sought (see 2110280074). Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., praised lawmakers for including her Local Journalism Sustainability Act (HR-3940/S-2434) in HR-5376. “Local journalism is essential to our democracy, we cannot let local & regional newsrooms continue to die in this challenging information age,” she tweeted. HR-3940/S-2434 would provide up to $5,000 in tax credits for local businesses that buy radio, TV and newspaper ads, and up to $25,000 for local news organizations to hire journalists.

Senate Homeland Security Committee ranking member Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Senate Privacy Subcommittee Chairman Chris Coons, D-Del., are gathering information on legislation that would require social media platforms to open their algorithms to independent research, Portman said Thursday.

Global digital technology rules should be compatible, not identical, speakers said at a Thursday Politico virtual event. There's discussion about the new Trade & Technical Council (TTC) (see 2109290006) because, in an interconnected world, what's relevant in one country becomes relevant in others, said former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, now Brookings Institution visiting fellow and Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow: The TTC effort must be to agree on consistent rules.

Global digital technology rules should be compatible, not identical, speakers said at a Thursday Politico virtual event. There's discussion about the new Trade & Technical Council (TTC) (see 2109290006) because, in an interconnected world, what's relevant in one country becomes relevant in others, said former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, now Brookings Institution visiting fellow and Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow: The TTC effort must be to agree on consistent rules.

FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also announces (see this section, July 14 issue of this publication) that Mark Bykowsky, industry economist, Office of Economics and Analytics, is retiring ... At Disney, General Counsel Alan Braverman and Chief Communications Officer Zenia Mucha decide to retire from the company after their contracts expire at year's end ... Uber hires for federal affairs team Ryan Thornton from Information Technology Industry Council as the company's senior associate-external affairs.

FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also announces (see this section, July 14 issue of this publication) that Mark Bykowsky, industry economist, Office of Economics and Analytics, is retiring ... At Disney, General Counsel Alan Braverman and Chief Communications Officer Zenia Mucha decide to retire from the company after their contracts expire at year's end ... Uber hires for federal affairs team Ryan Thornton from Information Technology Industry Council as the company's senior associate-external affairs.

Congressional Democrats are pressing harder for President Joe Biden to name a permanent FCC chair and a fifth commissioner, citing the need for a majority to act on changes to net neutrality rules and other priorities unlikely to garner GOP support. Lawmakers remain publicly hopeful the administration will soon announce its FCC nominees. Privately, Senate Democrats in recent days told the White House their patience on FCC nomination delays has evaporated, aides said.