Democrats oppose plan to stack FCC with Republicans, plan probes of Chairman Carr

Senate Democrats today opposed President Trump’s nominee for an open Federal Communications Commission seat, and criticized Republicans for moving to confirm a new commissioner during the period before Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027. Thumann Severs responded that she has not advised Carr on media-related topics and declined Luján’s request to identify any specific policy issues on which she disagrees with Carr. Luján predicted trouble for Carr when Democrats take the majority in both chambers of Congress. He seemed to suggest that Carr will quickly grow tired of having to testify in Congress multiple times a month under the Democratic majorities. “I don’t think Chairman Carr is going to be around more than another three or four months because when we have the gavels in here, he will be here once a month,” Luján said. “And Mr. Democrats similarly criticized Thumann Severs for not giving a clear answer on whether the FCC has authority to eliminate E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year program that was created by Congress to connect students and library visitors to the Internet. Duckworth told Thumann Severs that the FCC cannot eliminate E-Rate without Congressional approval. “We never directed the FCC to eliminate the program and frankly, at a time when the price of gas, groceries, and utilities is skyrocketing, the last thing the FCC should be doing is making it harder for schools to stay connected,” Duckworth said. The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee held today’s hearing for Thumann Severs and three other nominees for federal positions. Thumann Severs needs approval from the committee and then the full Senate to be confirmed to the FCC. Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is trying to get her approved before Republicans have to give up their Senate majority. The commission has only one Democrat, Anna Gomez, and she would have to leave at the end of 2027 if she is not given another term. “For many decades, the Senate has paired commission nominees: A Republican and a Democrat moving together,” Sen.