Senate Commerce Eyes March 13 Roth Confirmation Hearing; Trusty Also Possible
The Senate Commerce Committee was eyeing a March 13 confirmation hearing for NTIA nominee Arielle Roth and potentially also FCC nominee Olivia Trusty, but that panel wasn’t final as of Thursday afternoon, several communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. President Donald Trump nominated Roth, Senate Commerce Republicans’ telecom policy director, in early February (see 2502040056). Trump picked Trusty, a Senate Armed Services Committee Republican staffer, for the FCC seat that former Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel vacated Jan. 20 (see 2501160077).
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Lobbyists said it appeared that Roth was certain to be part of a confirmation hearing next week, but Trusty’s status was more questionable. A Senate Commerce spokesperson said the committee couldn't "confirm any dates right now" for confirmation hearings on either nominee. Aides said as recently as last week that the panel hadn't received necessary executive branch paperwork to move either Roth or Trusty forward. Lobbyists previously expected confirmation hearings for both nominees to happen in April or May.
Senate Commerce said Wednesday night that it plans to meet March 12 to vote on White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director nominee Michael Kratsios and FTC nominee Mark Meador (see 2502250060). The committee will also vote on the Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act (S-323), as well as four other tech and telecom bills: the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act (S-28), Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act (S-97), Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act (S-244) and Government Spectrum Valuation Act (S-792). The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in 253 Russell.