Senate Democrats oppose FCC nominee and vow scrutiny of Carr

Senate Democrats opposed the nomination of Danielle Thumann Severs to an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that Republicans should not advance partisan nominees before Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027. At her confirmation hearing, they questioned whether she would challenge FCC Chairman Brendan Carr over his actions towards broadcasters and proposals affecting internet access.

Thumann Severs, a senior counsel to Carr, said she had not advised him on media issues and declined to identify policies where she disagreed with him. Democrats also pressed her on the FCC’s authority to change or end E-Rate, a congressional programme providing about $2 billion a year for school and library internet access; she said she could not prejudge an open proceeding. Senator Ben Ray Luján said Democrats would use subpoenas and frequent hearings to investigate Carr when they take control, while other senators argued the FCC cannot end E-Rate without Congress’s approval.