Senate leaders still may reach a deal to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel before the Democrat has to leave the agency at the end of this Congress, officials from Capitol Hill and industry told us Wednesday. Her reconfirmation has faced GOP holds for close to a year. Some industry lobbyists said the deal also may address the reconfirmation of Commissioner Ajit Pai. Congress is expected to adjourn as soon as next week.
Senate leaders still may reach a deal to reconfirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel before the Democrat has to leave the agency at the end of this Congress, officials from Capitol Hill and industry told us Wednesday. Her reconfirmation has faced GOP holds for close to a year. Some industry lobbyists said the deal also may address the reconfirmation of Commissioner Ajit Pai. Congress is expected to adjourn as soon as next week.
The latest iteration of net neutrality rules formally kicked off with a 3-2 party-line vote by FCC members in front of a standing-room-only crowd on Feb. 26, 2015. After many twists and turns in a lengthy process with millions of comments submitted, that included a significant course correction by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the final order was released in March 2015. It reclassified broadband as a Title II telecom service subject to some common-carrier regulation under the Communications Act.
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).
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).
Senate Democrats joined Republicans in blocking the reconfirmation of FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a fellow Democrat who formerly worked as a Senate Commerce Committee staffer. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., both revealed holds against Rosenworcel Thursday for what they viewed as shortcomings on telecom policy.
Senate Democrats joined Republicans in blocking the reconfirmation of FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a fellow Democrat who formerly worked as a Senate Commerce Committee staffer. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., both revealed holds against Rosenworcel Thursday for what they viewed as shortcomings on telecom policy.
There were new questions and even doubts about the FCC's planned actions on business data services and other items after key lawmakers Tuesday warned the agency not to take controversial steps during the transition from President Barack Obama to President-elect Donald Trump. The FCC is scheduled to vote on a BDS order and Further NPRM, among other items, at its monthly meeting Thursday (see 1610270054). Also on the commissioners' meeting agenda are items on a mobility fund Phase II, roaming and video description. A draft set-top box order and other items are also pending on circulation. The BDS action was already seen as complicated by the Republican election victory (see 1611100041).
There were new questions and even doubts about the FCC's planned actions on business data services and other items after key lawmakers Tuesday warned the agency not to take controversial steps during the transition from President Barack Obama to President-elect Donald Trump. The FCC is scheduled to vote on a BDS order and Further NPRM, among other items, at its monthly meeting Thursday (see 1610270054). Also on the commissioners' meeting agenda are items on a mobility fund Phase II, roaming and video description. A draft set-top box order and other items are also pending on circulation. The BDS action was already seen as complicated by the Republican election victory (see 1611100041).
Parents Television Council President Tim Winter sees no reason for Senate Republicans to hold up FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel's reconfirmation following the November elections, Winter told us Monday. It’s now “all but certain” that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will be stepping down and leaving the FCC with the incoming Donald Trump administration, Winter said, citing the condition ascribed to the GOP holds preventing Rosenworcel's reconfirmation. “It’s really sad” that her renomination “has been used like a political football” and “poker chip,” he said. One GOP Senate staffer told us last week that Rosenworcel’s reconfirmation is less likely following the recent elections (see 1611100050), although many agree it is a Senate leadership fight. Winter expanded on a news release that his group released earlier that day. Now is the ideal time to make PTC's priorities known before Congress, the FCC and the incoming Trump administration, Winter told us: “What we want to do is get out there early with a really solid laundry list.” He pointed favorably to Trump's having signed during the presidential campaign from the group Enough Is Enough to enforce obscenity laws. Winter also hopes that the Dec. 7 Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee hearing on AT&T buying Time Warner brings up the issue of network unbundling as a potential condition: “The bully pulpit is important.” He said the FCC should handle outstanding broadcast indecency complaints and that Congress and the agency should review the content rating system. Winter referred to meetings with Commerce Committee offices of both parties and chambers of Congress starting this summer and that all seem to believe that the content rating system “deserves a closer look.” He wants “some remedies” in that regard, Winter said, blasting the current system as “inaccurate, inconsistent, wholly lacking transparency.” It’s time for a public hearing on that, he said. Winter hopes that no legislation is necessary to achieve his goals, he said.