Cruz schedules hearing to add third Republican to FCC before January
The Texas senator aims to confirm a Trump nominee while still holding committee chairmanship, potentially creating a 3-1 party split on the commission.
By Elena Perry ·
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas set a hearing date for November 10 to advance the nomination of Danielle Thumann Severs. The hearing will occur before the Senate changes control to Democrats in January 2027. Cruz currently serves as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Confirming Thumann Severs would give Republicans a 3-1 majority on the Federal Communications Commission. This advantage could widen to 3-0 by the end of 2027. That outcome depends on whether President Trump renominates Commissioner Anna Gomez. Gomez must leave the commission at that time if she is not renominated.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon warned that federal law prohibits an all-Republican FCC. He stated that actions taken by a partisan FCC could be overturned in court. Wyden cited the statutory history of the Communications Act in his assessment. He sent this warning in a letter dated September 24.
Wyden noted that the Communications Act sets a quorum at three members. He speculated that the President may fire Gomez once Thumann Severs is confirmed. This move would allow the agency to operate with an all-Republican 3-0 panel. Wyden argued that such a structure would make every license renewal and spectrum transfer legally defective.
The FCC requires presidential nomination and Senate confirmation for all commissioners. Traditionally, the president nominates opposing-party members based on recommendations from Senate leaders of that party. This bipartisan process has historically ensured the FCC’s makeup complies with US law.
President Trump has not followed this tradition in his second term. He has not nominated a Democrat to the other empty FCC seat. He also has not renominated Gomez to allow her to serve past 2027.
