The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Republican Nathan Simington to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), potentially hamstringing the Biden administration before it even takes office.<\/p>\n
Simington, a senior adviser at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, was confirmed 49-46 despite fierce opposition from Democrats and digital rights groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cNathan Simington is a deeply dangerous nominee to the FCC,\u201d Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) warned during a virtual event with civil rights groups Monday. \u201cHe\u2019s dangerous on the issues: net neutrality, Lifeline, E-Rate, and rural broadband … he is conflicted, unprepared and unqualified.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman\u00a0Roger Wicker<\/a>\u00a0(R-Miss.) praised Simington for his “light-touch regulatory approach” after the vote.<\/p>\n \u201cNathan Simington\u2019s confirmation will help ensure a balanced FCC and continued light-touch regulatory approach that has kept the internet free and open for all Americans,\u201d Wicker said.<\/p>\n