Senate Confirmation of FCC Nominees Unlikely Before 115th Congress Ends
It's possible but increasingly unlikely that Senate leaders will agree to confirm FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Democratic commission nominee Geoffrey Starks via unanimous consent (UC) before noon Thursday as part of an end-of-session package of President Donald Trump's nominees,…
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Senate sources and lobbyists told us Wednesday. The nominees appeared to have their chances boosted shortly before the start of Christmas recess when Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, lifted their holds on Carr (see 1812200060). Senate leaders intended to advance Carr and Starks as a pair. A move to those confirmations remained unlikely until an agreement to end the partial government shutdown, which entered its 12th day Wednesday (see 1901020048). A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., emphasized the chamber could confirm any of Trump's nominees up until the 115th Congress expires at noon Thursday but only under UC. Trump would need to renominate Carr and Starks for them to be considered again during the 116th Congress. Spokespersons for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Senate Commerce Committee didn't comment. The FCC Wireline Bureau sought comment Wednesday on Alaska-based GCI Communications' application for a review of the bureau's reduction in its FY 2017 USF Rural Health Care Program support (see 1811130040). That's seen as one factor that led Sullivan to place his hold on Carr. Comments on GCI's application, docket 17-310, are due Feb. 4, replies Feb. 19.