Prospects for Redl's NTIA Confirmation 'Up to Democrats' After Schatz Hold, Thune Says
The path forward for Senate confirmation of David Redl as NTIA administrator is “really up to Democrats” now that Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, placed a hold on the vote, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D.,…
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told reporters Tuesday. Schatz told us Monday evening he placed the hold so he and other Senate Democrats can get information about the deal that Redl and President Donald Trump’s administration reached earlier this month to get Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to lift his own earlier hold on the nominee (see 1710230026, 1710230062 and 1710300028). “We are trying to work through” concerns about the nature of the agreement, Schatz told us: “I am not satisfied” with the amount of information available about the deal and “I won't release my hold until I am.” Redl's nomination “has cleared” the Republicans' hotline process so it's now “up to the Dems now on whether” a vote under unanimous consent happens, Thune said Tuesday. The months-long vacancy at NTIA is a “big concern” given myriad policy issues the agency tackles, he said.