U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell has announced her opposition to the nomination of Olivia Trusty for the position of Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Cantwell, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, cited concerns over Republican leadership's deviation from the tradition of advancing both Republican and Democratic nominees simultaneously.
Cantwell expressed her stance in a letter addressed to Majority Leader Thune. "I am opposing the pending nomination of Olivia Trusty to serve as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and will be urging my colleagues to do the same," she wrote. Despite acknowledging Trusty's professional qualifications, Cantwell emphasized that her initial support was not without conditions. She noted that recent actions by the Trump Administration have influenced her decision.
The senator highlighted that Trusty's nomination is proceeding while a Democratic seat on the FCC remains unfilled after former Commissioner Geoffrey Starks resigned. Cantwell voiced concern about President Trump's history with independent commissions, fearing potential partisan manipulation at the FCC by leaving Democratic seats vacant.
"The Senate Commerce Committee and its counterpart in the House have released plans for the FCC to auction vast amounts of spectrum currently used for national security, aviation safety, and next generation connectivity," Cantwell stated. She criticized this approach as reckless, warning it could endanger systems vital to American safety.
Cantwell's letter concluded with an appeal to fellow senators to join her in opposing Trusty's nomination due to these significant policy concerns.
