Wheeler Faces Hold Threat

摘要

Congress left town for its August recess, but not before one plainly determined senator signaled he could throw a wrench into the wheels of Tom Wheeler's smooth ride to nomination as FCC chairman. According to a source close to Senate Commerce Committee member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a hold-it only takes one senator to block a presidential appointment-is "not off the table." That came after Cruz was not happy with Wheeler's responses to a question he wants answered about the FCC's ability to require enhanced disclosures of the actual funders of political ads. Wheeler says he will be guided in his decision by the Constitution, but that there are sponsorship identification and political disclosure responsibilities Congress has already delegated to the FCC dating back to its predecessor, the Federal Radio Commission, in 1927.