Dem senators drop objection to FCC commissioner

Two Democratic senators dropped their objections Friday to a Federal Communications Commission regulator being confirmed for a second term.

{mosads}A spokesperson for Wyden told The Hill Friday that the Oregon senator lifted his objection after he “was assured that Commissioner Rosenworcel is committed to working toward consensus on all items before the Commission this year, including the Mobility Fund.” 

The Mobility Fund aims to improve mobile voice and internet service to users in underserved, generally rural, communities. A planned FCC vote on the fund’s expansion was dropped Thursday.

Wyden and Markey justified their calls to hold Rosenworcel’s confirmation Thursday by arguing that she wasn’t “pro-consumer” enough and suggesting that she was reason FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler dropped items to be voted on during a Thursday open meeting.

“Tom Wheeler was forced to cancel a vote during their Open Meeting due to the inaction of one acting Commissioner. That vote would have implemented a program to help rural Americans receive wireless broadband internet,” Wyden said Thursday in an email explaining his hold on Rosenworcel.

Prior to Thursday’s open meeting, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) wrote letters urging Wheeler to not vote on “controversial” items that the incoming administration may want to review.

Wheeler bowed to the pressure, dropping virtually all of the agenda items from Thursday’s open meeting, including The Mobility Fund expansion.