Federal Government Information Technology

The FCC could soon be paralyzed in a partisan stalemate

The Washington Post: With its final open meeting of the year coming up Thursday, the nation's top telecom regulator could be deadlocked in a 2-to-2 partisan stalemate by week's end due to the U.S. Senate's failure to appoint Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, to the Federal Communications Commission.

Rosenworcel serves as one of three liberals on the five-member panel, but must leave the FCC on Dec. 31. The Senate adjourned last Friday without confirming Rosenworcel, prompting reports that the nomination had failed.

If Rosenworcel departs as expected, it would leave the FCC with two Democrats and two Republicans — a tie that could mean no new action from the agency until President-elect Donald Trump nominates his own pick to fill Rosenworcel's open seat. In the meantime, Republicans could even gain a 2-1 majority if the FCC's Democratic chairman, Tom Wheeler, resigns — giving the GOP the power to roll back many of Wheeler's policies, such as net neutrality and privacy rules for Internet providers.

Read article