WASHINGTON, D.C. — Much has changed since the FCC‘s Chairman and Commissioners were asked to participate in a Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing.
The last hearing, held six months ago, turned into a three-hour that included such highlights as Chairman and South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune assailing then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, labeling him as a leader who has “too often pursued a highly partisan agenda.”
It overshadowed an endorsement of AM radio from a Montana senator, among other issues of importance to broadcasters.
Wednesday’s FCC oversight hearing — the first for recently minted FCC Chairman Ajit Pai — was held with a much more congenial tone … even from Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who was quick to express “my continued frustration that Jessica Rosenworcel is not sitting before us today as a commissioner.” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) echoed those sentiments.