Senate Democrats are signaling that Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s time at the FCC may not be up despite her upcoming forced exit. “I hope she'll be renominated and the Senate lives up to its word,” Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., told us in a statement Monday. Members of the upper chamber left town early Saturday without reconfirming her, which means she will have to leave the agency by Jan. 3, as expected (see 1612080056). That would create a 2-2 partisan split among remaining members.

Senate Democrats are signaling that Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s time at the FCC may not be up despite her upcoming forced exit. “I hope she'll be renominated and the Senate lives up to its word,” Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., told us in a statement Monday. Members of the upper chamber left town early Saturday without reconfirming her, which means she will have to leave the agency by Jan. 3, as expected (see 1612080056). That would create a 2-2 partisan split among remaining members.

No cloture petition was filed by our deadline Friday to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, further diminishing chances that the Senate will approve her before leaving imminently. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told us earlier Thursday a cloture vote would likely be required to secure her approval and didn’t believe it was possible due to limited time (see 1612080056). Republicans and Democrats have shown frustration with leadership negotiations on a new Rosenworcel deal, resulting in an unfiled cloture petition, as expected for more than a week.

No cloture petition was filed by our deadline Friday to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, further diminishing chances that the Senate will approve her before leaving imminently. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told us earlier Thursday a cloture vote would likely be required to secure her approval and didn’t believe it was possible due to limited time (see 1612080056). Republicans and Democrats have shown frustration with leadership negotiations on a new Rosenworcel deal, resulting in an unfiled cloture petition, as expected for more than a week.

Senate prospects for reconfirming Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel seemed to plummet Thursday, which would mean she would have to soon leave the FCC. The approval is believed to require filing for cloture, a timely process that no longer fits into expectations for the Senate’s remaining minimal time. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., earlier this week that he would resign immediately if it would ensure Rosenworcel’s confirmation, an agency spokesman confirmed.

Senate prospects for reconfirming Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel seemed to plummet Thursday, which would mean she would have to soon leave the FCC. The approval is believed to require filing for cloture, a timely process that no longer fits into expectations for the Senate’s remaining minimal time. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., earlier this week that he would resign immediately if it would ensure Rosenworcel’s confirmation, an agency spokesman confirmed.

Members of Senate leadership didn’t rule out a possible leadership-level deal under discussion to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel before Congress leaves in a matter of days. But the bipartisan Commerce Committee legislation stalled as a result of her holdup is likely doomed this session, its author and his principal telecom staffer said. A deal on Rosenworcel is believed to be the key to moving these bills through the Senate.

Members of Senate leadership didn’t rule out a possible leadership-level deal under discussion to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel before Congress leaves in a matter of days. But the bipartisan Commerce Committee legislation stalled as a result of her holdup is likely doomed this session, its author and his principal telecom staffer said. A deal on Rosenworcel is believed to be the key to moving these bills through the Senate.

A chorus of conservative groups is telling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., not to accept a deal to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel this year. Congress remains in session for perhaps no longer than this week, and she will have to leave the agency if not reconfirmed this session. GOP holds have prevented her from advancing all year. The groups fear a deadlocked FCC under the incoming administration. A senior Senate Republican confirmed Monday that Republicans are seeking to wrap in a GOP commissioner reconfirmation.

A chorus of conservative groups is telling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., not to accept a deal to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel this year. Congress remains in session for perhaps no longer than this week, and she will have to leave the agency if not reconfirmed this session. GOP holds have prevented her from advancing all year. The groups fear a deadlocked FCC under the incoming administration. A senior Senate Republican confirmed Monday that Republicans are seeking to wrap in a GOP commissioner reconfirmation.