The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (Commerce Committee) has favorably reported the renomination of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. The Commerce Committee approval came on a voice vote, with four (4) Democratic Senators specifically asking to be recorded as voting “no.”

Commissioner O’Rielly’s current term ended at the end of June of 2019, but under the Communications Act he is allowed to continue to serve until the end of the end of the Congress the following year (i.e., until the end of 2020). His new term would run for five (5) years, starting from July 1, 2019. He has served on the FCC since 2013.

The Commerce Committee action was commended by the likes of Charter Communications, the Consumer Technology Association, NCTA and Verizon.

As previously reported by TCPAWorld, Commissioner O’Rielly has been a supporter of the agency addressing the various pending issues relating to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, including in a speech last year before ACA International (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-357496A1.pdf).

The nomination now moves to the Senate Floor for final approval. No specific date has as yet been set for that action, which TCPAWorld will report.