It was the first item on a lengthy agenda that also considered the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA’s Administrator and 17 pieces of proposed legislation ranging from “fog observations and geographic forecasting” to the Deploying American Blockchains Act.
And, it’s very clear that there’ll be no blocking the advancement of President Trump’s nomination of Olivia Trusty to serve as a Republican FCC Commissioner to the full U.S. Senate for a floor vote.
The former senior adviser to Sen. Roger Wicker’s nomination was reported favorably by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday morning in a 21-7 en bloc vote. If approved by the full Senate, Trusty would complete the FCC seat expiring on June 30. Then, she would begin a full five-year term starting July 1.
Trusty’s advancement is widely expected, and would give FCC Chairman Brendan Carr a Republican majority at the Commission. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reiterated his support for Trusty, referencing her policy experience and prior committee work. “Ms. Trusty is an expert in telecommunications policy, and someone who understands the need for a spectrum pipeline to free up bands for commercial use,” said Cruz, who enthusiastically endorsed her during her appearance at the committee’s April 9 nomination hearing. “I look forward to working with her and with Chairman Carr as we restore the FCC’s commercial auction authority this Congress.”
However, there could be a speed bump put into place by Democrats, some of who raised concerns over broader political dynamics surrounding independent agencies such as the FCC under the Trump Administration, which has sought to gain more influence within these agencies. In a previous hearing, Trusty stated she would, “Focus on the rules and carry them out fairly and objectively,” adding she would be “guided by the statute” and does not support what some are calling the “weaponization” of the agency to carry out a political agenda.
Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) voted in favor of Trusty but conditioned her continued support on a bipartisan balance. “I will continue to support her nomination as long as we are going to continue to support both Democrat and Republican nominees,” Cantwell said.
Other Democrats echoed those concerns. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) said she supported advancing the nomination out of committee but stopped short of committing to a floor vote, citing the administration’s past moves against Democratic appointees on other commissions. “I cannot commit to supporting her on the floor if there are not commitments from the White House that they will respect the independence of the FCC,” Rosen stated.
Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, who in the recent past has been a champion of bipartisan efforts in the Senate and has worked closely with Sen. Cruz on several legislative efforts, also expressed hesitation about full Senate confirmation of Trusty without a corresponding Democratic nominee. “I support advancing her nomination because of her experience and work, but I do not believe she will have my vote on the floor if we have not advanced a Democratic nominee,” she said.
With Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks’ resignation “this spring,” this has intensified the urgency among some Democrats for a nomination from the White House for his successor.
Starks, who was reappointed by President Joe Biden in 2023 for a term ending in July 2027, announced his early departure in March only saying that he would leave before summer.
— Additional reporting and editing by Adam R Jacobson
