It now looks like there will be no vote on the FCC nominees-in-waiting until at least Oct. 28, when the Senate returns from a week of home visits; it could in fact take quite a bit longer. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), having failed in his efforts to block the Affordable Care Act, last week turned his attention back to FCC chairman nominee Tom Wheeler, signaling he would hold up that nomination, and effectively the nomination of Republican Michael O'Rielly, after stopping a fast-track attempt to vote both nominees. "The senator is holding the nominee until he gets answers to his questions regarding Mr. Wheeler's views on whether the FCC has the authority or intent to implement the requirements of the failed Congressional DISCLOSE Act," a Cruz aide said last week. "Mr. Wheeler had previously declined to give specific answers, but as he's now expressed his readiness to revisit the senator's questions, the senator hopes to communicate with him soon."
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