Tom Wheeler Confirmed As FCC Chair

The Senate unanimously confirmed Tom Wheeler, an investor and former industry lobbyist, to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Tuesday, according to The Hill.

The vote was delayed for two weeks by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who expressed concern about Wheeler's views on political disclosure rules. Cruz lifted his objection after Wheeler assured him in a private meeting Tuesday that tougher disclosure requirements for the donors behind political TV ads are "not a priority" for him.

Wheeler was the president of the cable industry lobby about 30 years ago and later led the lobbying group for the cellphone carriers. In recent years, he has worked at venture capital firm Core Capital, investing in technology start-ups.

As FCC chairman, Wheeler will oversee the implementation of the FCC's plan to encourage TV stations to give up their broadcast licenses for auction to cellphone carriers. The additional airwaves will help cellphone carriers meet their customers' skyrocketing demand for mobile data and could raise billions of dollars for the federal government. But the plan depends on a number of TV broadcasters voluntarily agreeing to go off the air.

Tom Wheeler

Wheeler may also have to decide whether to attempt to reinstate the agency's net neutrality rules if a federal court sides with Verizon and strikes them down.

A perennial issue for the FCC is how aggressively to police indecency on TV and radio. The agency has not issued any indecency fines during the Obama administration.

Wheeler will takeover from Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, who will continue to serve as a commissioner on the five-member board. Julius Genachowski stepped down as chairman in May after four years at the agency.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Michael O'Rielly to one of the two FCC seats reserved for Republicans. O'Rielly is a longtime Capitol Hill aide, who has worked for then-Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and John Sununu (R-N.H.) and on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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In a statement released late Tuesday evening, Wheeler said he looks forward to taking the oath of office in the coming days.

Wheeler was gracious about the tenure of commissioner Mignon Clyburn as acting chairwoman of the commission, noting that for six months, she’s led the agency “with dedication and vision.”

“We all owe Chairwoman Clyburn a huge thank you,” stated Wheeler. “The chairwoman, along with Commissioners Rosenworcel and Pai and the FCC staff dealt with important issues that kept policy and the country moving forward.” 

Wheeler congratulated Michael O’Rielly for his Senate confirmation and said they would both be joining a dynamic and dedicated team at the FCC. “What excites me about this new responsibility is how we are at a hinge moment of history; the Internet is the greatest communications revolution in the last 150 years. We must all dedicate ourselves to encouraging its growth, expanding what it enables, and assuring its users’ rights are respected.”