Tom Wheeler has been confirmed by the Senate as FCC Chairman.
According to The New York Times, “The vote came after Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, lifted a hold earlier in the day on the nomination of Tom Wheeler as chairman, with Mr. Cruz saying he had received assurances from him that the commission would not immediately pursue changes for political advertising on television.”
Along with Wheeler’s confirmation, the Senate OK’d President Obama’s nomination of Michael O’Reilly as FCC commissioner. The two seats had been vacant since previous chairman Julius Genachowski and commissioner Robert McDowell both stepped down in March.
Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn congratulated the two on their confirmation, “The FCC family enthusiastically welcomes both Tom and Michael. I look forward to working with them, along with my current colleagues at the Commission, to further communications policies that advance the public interest, bolster competition, empower consumers, and spur new waves of innovation that grow our economy and create jobs.”