Trump to give Republicans a 3-1 FCC majority, isn't filling empty Democratic seat
The Federal Communications Commission has been shorthanded throughout President Trump's second term, but it's about to get a new commissioner. Unsurprisingly, Trump is breaking a historical norm with a nomination that would give Republicans a 3-1 advantage on the FCC.
Historically, the president and Senate worked together to ensure that the president's party maintained only a one-vote majority. Normally, the president's party has three FCC members while the minority party has two.
Instead of the typical 3-2 split, the FCC has operated with a 2-1 Republican majority during Trump's second term. On Friday, Trump nominated Republican Danielle Thumann Severs to take one of the empty spots. Thumann Severs, a lawyer, has been working as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's senior counsel. She must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate before being sworn in as a commissioner.