Report: Sen. Harry Reid Puts Hold On Senate Spectrum Bill In Response To Hold On Rosenworcel FCC Re-Nomination

Rosenworcel

FCC Commissioner JESSICA ROSENWORCEL's nomination for a second term has been held up in the Senate, and the situation has escalated with a bill on spectrum policy being held up in response to the hold on the nomination.

THE HILL reports that Senate Minority Leader HARRY REID (D-NV) put a hold on a bill backed by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman JOHN THUNE (R-SD) involving mobile spectrum, and REID's move was, a spokesperson told THE HILL, linked to the hold placed by Sens. TED CRUZ (R-TX) and MIKE LEE (R-UT) on ROSENWORCEL's re-nomination.  REID and Democrats allege that the majority Republicans promised when MIKE O'RIELLY was confirmed in 2013 that a Democrat would get Republican support in return, but the contentiousness with which FCC policy has been debated on Capitol Hill has led to a stalemate.  

THUNE, in a statement, said that he and Sen. BILL NELSON (D-FL) had "worked together this congress to build a bipartisan consensus to advance needed communication policy reforms and the ROSENWORCEL nomination through committee. 

Sen. REID’s hold on our Mobile Now Act could actually backfire and harm the chances of the ROSENWORCEL nomination if it becomes clear there won’t be enough time left this year to advance bipartisan policy reforms that have yet to clear the House.  I’m surprised his retaliatory hold targeted a bipartisan committee effort because he’s acknowledged Sen. NELSON and I did everything we can to advance the FCC nomination.”

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