Thune Sees Cloture Vote on Pai Reconfirmation, Hopes for Net Neutrality Compromise

agreed earlier this month to hold over a vote on Pai until after the August recess as part of a deal on a nominations package that included confirmation of now-Commissioners Brendan Carr and Jessica Rosenworcel. Senate Democrats sought a cloture vote ahead of a final floor vote on Pai to give them an opportunity to voice their disapproval of some of his actions since taking over as chairman in January. Senate Democrats “can’t stop” White House nominees through the filibuster process, but “they can certainly slow” down the confirmation process, Thune said at the event, sponsored by AT&T, SDN Communications and the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Thune said Senate Commerce was able to get “a bunch” of President Donald Trump’s nominees to a floor vote before the recess but estimated about 100 nominees under committee jurisdiction await Senate action. Thune touted Senate passage of the Mobile Now Act (S-19) spectrum bill and the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act (S-96), highlighting S-96 as an example of committee bipartisan cooperation. He hopes the panel can reach a similar bipartisan compromise on net neutrality legislation, saying he believes the committee can advance legislation with “basic principles” on issues like blocking and throttling. Many telecom-focused congressional Democrats don't believe a bipartisan net neutrality bill is possible this Congress, though House Commerce Committee Republicans plan a hearing on a legislative compromise Sept. 7 (see 1707130063, 1707210038 and 1707250059). A compromise would be a “huge win” for Senate Commerce, as would legislation aimed at encouraging broadband investment and laying the regulatory groundwork for 5G, Thune said.