Carr Urges Senate Confirmation of New GOP FCC Commissioner

 FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr endorsed Nathan Simington’s nomination to the agency last week. He told Fox he needs another Republican alongside him on the five-member commission come Inauguration Day to stymie Democrats. “It’d be very valuable to get Simington across the finish line to help forestall what really would be billions of dollars worth of economic damage that I think a [Democratic] FCC would look to jam through from Day 1,” said Carr.

With FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and fellow GOP Commissioner Michael O’Rielly set to leave, Carr would be the sole Republican on the dais as of January 20. The Senate Commerce Committee last week passed Simington’s nomination to the Senate floor over Democrats’ objections, Inside Towers reported.

Senate supporters are hoping for a floor vote to confirm Simington this week, according to Politico. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said he’d block the vote. If successful in appointing Simington to the Commission, the FCC could be deadlocked 2-2 on critical issues come January. In that scenario, it may be a while until President-elect Joe Biden can nominate and get confirmation for an additional Democrat to the agency to gain a majority, according to Politico.