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| Senator Ted Cruz |
The question hanging over the communications industry is
when President Obama’s nominee to chair the FCC, Thomas Wheeler, will get to
work on a number of important issues held up until he is confirmed, according to THR.
Wheeler sailed through the Commerce Committee approval and
seemed certain to win full Senate approval until Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) put the
confirmation vote on hold. Cruz is demanding an answer from Wheeler about
whether the FCC will push through rules mandating transparency by big money
political donors when advocacy ads run on broadcast TV.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruz’s hold also effectively delays the confirmation of
former Senate aide Michael O'Rielly, the Republican nominee for the FCC, as
well. At present the commission has an acting chairwoman and only three (of
five) members, which is the reason some issues are stacked up until the
commission is at full strength.
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| FCC Designee Wheeler |
Those include rules related to the voluntary auction by TV
stations of some of their broadcast spectrum; net neutrality and rules for an
open Internet; TV station ownership rules; how to manage the transition of
legacy phone networks into the digital era; and much more.
Wheeler has twice answered Cruz’s question, in writing, but
the Senator is still not satisfied; and now the two are reportedly going to
meet for further discussions.
Cruz’s concern is the FCC will use its power to force
disclosure of the identities of those who donate large sums of money for
political ads that are booked by committees separate from candidates. These
committees have become a major factor in American politics since the Citizen
United Supreme Court ruling in 2010, which opened the door to nearly unlimited
political contributions by so-called independent committees.
Wheeler has twice provided Cruz with written responses to
his question – promising to give the matter serious consideration - and twice
Cruz has indicated it is not acceptable. He wants a specific answer.
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