Reps. Request FCC Suspends Partisan, Controversial Items

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Federal Communications Commission

Representatives Frank Pallone and Mike Doyle have sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission requesting the agency to only pursue consensus and administrative matters that are non-partisan for the remainder of their tenure due to the presidential transition.

In a statement, Commissioner Starks wrote, "As two of my Republican colleagues observed in 2016, it is long-standing Commission practice that, upon a presidential transition, the agency suspends its consideration of any partisan, controversial items until the transition period is complete. Our congressional leaders have called for Chairman Pai to respect this precedent, and I expect that he will abide by their request."

Here is the text of letter sent to the FCC:

Dear Chairman Pai:

We write to request the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) immediately stop work on all partisan, controversial items under consideration, consistent with applicable law and regulation, and follow the norms set by past transfers of power.

With the results of the 2020 presidential election now apparent, leadership of the FCC will undoubtedly be changing. As a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power-and as part of our oversight responsibilities-we strongly urge the agency to only pursue consensus and administrative matters that are non-partisan for the remainder of your tenure.

We note that you have previously welcomed calls from congressional leaders for the FCC to "halt further action on controversial items during the transition period." We hope you will respect this time-honored tradition now. There are undoubtedly a number of consensus matters on which the Commission must focus to appropriately carry out its mission on behalf of the public, and we urge you to take quick action on such items.

Sincerely,
Frank Pallone, Jr.
Chairman

Mike Doyle
Chairman Subcommittee on Communications and Technology