Wicker Named Chairman of the Commerce Committee

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Sen. Roger Wicker, (R-MS) is the new chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which oversees communications policy, including the telecom and broadcast industries. He replaces John Thune, (R-SD), who moved up to the number two GOP leadership position as majority whip. Maria Cantwell, (D-WA), will be the new ranking Democrat on the committee, replacing Bill Nelson of Florida, who was defeated in November, Inside Towers reported.

Wicker thanked Thune, for his “exemplary leadership” over the past four years. 

“The chairmanship is a great responsibility given the committee’s broad jurisdiction across diverse sectors of our economy.” Wicker said he looks forward to serving with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle “to build on the committee’s successes and continue moving our economy forward.” 

The National Association of Tower Erectors congratulated both Wicker and Cantwell. “Senator Wicker possesses a keen understanding of the legislative and regulatory challenges currently confronting the wireless infrastructure community and will work in a collaborative, bipartisan fashion to solve these issues in a manner that benefits the industry and consumers,” said NATE Board member Jimmy Miller of MillerCo, Inc. in Gulfport, MS.

Concerning Cantwell, NATE Chairman Jim Tracy of Legacy Telecommunications, LLC in Burley, WA, said: “NATE has enjoyed our working relationship with Sen. Cantwell and her staff and looks forward to continue this collaboration in the 116th Congress.”

January 10, 2019

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