GOP clinches 2-2 deadlock for Biden FCC as Senate approves Trump nominee

Enlarge / Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, two of the FCC's three Republicans, talk before the start of a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on August 16, 2018. (credit: Getty Images | Bill Clark )

The Republican-controlled US Senate today confirmed a Trump nominee to the Federal Communications Commission, ensuring that President-elect Joe Biden's FCC will be deadlocked at 2-2 upon his inauguration.

The Senate voted along party lines to confirm Nathan Simington, a Trump administration official who helped draft a petition asking the FCC to make it easier to sue social media companies like Facebook and Twitter. Democrats say he is unqualified for the position.

"During his confirmation hearing even the most basic questions about FCC issues seemed to trip up Nathan Simington. It's clear he is wholly unqualified to help lead this agency," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote on Twitter today.

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