Trump to give Republicans a 3-1 FCC majority, isn't filling empty Democratic seat

Core Impact Points

• President Trump is nominating Republican Danielle Thumann Severs to fill one of the empty spots on the FCC, giving Republicans a 3-1 majority.
• This move breaks a historical norm where the president's party maintained only a one-vote majority on the FCC.
• The FCC has played a leading role in Trump's attacks on news broadcasters, and a third Republican commissioner will give Chairman Brendan Carr more support for his policies.
• The nomination may lead to a more partisan FCC, potentially undermining the commission's ability to make bipartisan decisions.
• The lack of a paired Democratic nomination may lead to a contentious confirmation process, highlighting the need for bipartisan cooperation in the Senate.
• The FCC's decisions may be at greater risk of being blocked in court if the commission has a 3-0 Republican majority, violating a law that prohibits any party from having an FCC supermajority.