Senate Democrats Block FCC Nominee Thumann Severs Ahead of January Power Shift
The opposition to the Trump pick follows a plan to subpoena FCC Chairman Brendan Carr once Democrats assume congressional control.
By Amina Yusuf ·
Senate Democrats voted today to block the confirmation of Danielle Thumann Severs, President Donald Trump’s nominee to fill an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission. The move prevents the addition of a third Republican commissioner to the agency during the final weeks of the current congressional session.
The Commerce Committee held a nomination hearing for Thumann Severs, who serves as senior counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Democratic lawmakers argued that advancing the appointment now ignores the results of the recent midterm elections. They contend that the incoming Democratic majority in Congress should set the agency’s direction beginning in January 2027.
Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts stated that there is no justification for advancing partisan nominees during this period. He noted that the American people rejected the current political agenda in last week’s election. Markey called the timing of the vote a strategic maneuver by Republicans to secure control of the regulatory body before the chamber changes hands.
During questioning, Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico challenged the nominee on her relationship with Chairman Carr. Luján asked whether Thumann Severs supported Carr’s recent actions against television broadcasters. The nominee responded that she has not advised Carr on media-related topics. She declined to specify any policy issues on which she disagrees with him.
Luján predicted that the new congressional leadership will increase oversight of the FCC. He stated that Chairman Carr will face monthly appearances before the Senate and the House. Luján said Democrats will use subpoena authority to investigate what he described as cover-ups and administrative errors at the agency.
Luján told Carr that his tenure would be limited if Democrats hold the gavel in both chambers. He estimated Carr would remain in the role for no more than three or four months. The senator emphasized that the chairman would lose the protection of the current Republican majority once the new Congress convenes.
