In a party line vote, the US Senate voted to approve Nathan Simington as the next FCC commissioner. Simington’s confirmation comes in light of Commissioner Michael O’Rielly’s imminent departure from the Commission after the President withdrew his nomination of O’Rielly for another term. The move is largely speculated to be linked to their respective differing views on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act as it relates to a Presidential executive order on censoring social media platforms. |
Simington’s confirmation will leave the Commission in a 2-2 political deadlock next year following Chairman Ajit Pai’s announced departure as of January 20, 2021 until a new FCC chair is confirmed. |