Senate Confirms Simington

The Senate voted 49-46 Tuesday afternoon to confirm Nathan Simington as an FCC commissioner. The vote was along party lines, as expected. His confirmation followed a largely muted Senate floor debate.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., were the only lawmakers to speak about it. Both senators opposed Simington, citing his support for an FCC rulemaking on its interpretation of Communications Decency Act Section 230 and the prospect his confirmation would result in a deadlocked 2-2 commission once Chairman Ajit Pai leaves Jan. 20.

FCC gridlock at the beginning of President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration will “undermine” its telecom policy goals from the very beginning, Blumenthal said. If that happens, “this body bears” responsibility for the consequences, he said.

Simington would take over from outgoing fellow GOP FCC member Mike O'Rielly.