McConnell pushes Trump nominee toward vote that would deadlock Biden FCC

Enlarge / Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell conducts a news conference in the US Capitol on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. (credit: Getty Images | Tom Williams | CQ Roll Call)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has moved to end debate over a Trump nomination that would deadlock the Federal Communications Commission, setting up a vote that could happen as soon as next week.

McConnell yesterday filed a cloture motion on Trump's nomination of Republican Nathan Simington to the FCC. McConnell's motion came one day after the Senate Commerce Committee voted 14-12 along party lines to advance the nomination to the full Senate.

"If Simington is confirmed, the FCC could initially be deadlocked 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans when Democratic President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month. Some officials think the Senate might not confirm [a Biden] appointee to the commission for months, if not longer," Reuters wrote yesterday.

Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments