House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) and Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) called on the FCC to stop any plans for new rules that could only pass along a party line vote. Rogers said the practice aligns with past presidential transitions.
Rogers called the practice “a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power” and urged FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to focus “on many bipartisan, consensus items that the FCC could pursue to fulfill its mission before the end of your tenure.” Indeed, Rosenworcel asked the same of former FCC Chair Ajit Pai before the Democrats took over the agency leadership in January 2021.
Cruz will become the likely chair of the Senate Commerce Committee in January 2025. Rogers didn’t run for reelection and plans to retire from Congress at the end of this term, Inside Towers reported.
“Between now and January 20, 2025, it is important to ensure the smoothest transition possible,” stated Cruz in a letter. “Any controversial FCC action taken up or continued after November 5th will receive particular scrutiny.”
Experts predict senior FCC Republic Commissioner Brendan Carr will become the new FCC Chair in January. Carr supports the requests, stating, “The American people have sent a clear and decisive message to Washington. It is time to change course. That is why I agree with congressional leadership that the FCC should immediately stop work on any partisan or controversial matter and focus on the transition.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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