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0 pointsTuring_Machine9y ago0 comments

"Because it has a Republican majority as a result of Trump's election"

Sorry, its makeup has nothing to do with "Trump's election". All three current members were appointed by Obama.

Now, Trump is likely to get to appoint at least three members. At that point, it could, perhaps, justifiably be called "Trump's" FCC.

Until that happens, though, calling an independent agency in which all of the members were appointed by Obama (and over which the executive branch has no direct authority) "Trump's" is so disingenuous it crosses the borderline into dishonesty.

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dragonwriter9y ago· 1 in thread

> Sorry, its makeup has nothing to do with "Trump's election".

Yes, it does. It's not a 3 seat commission, it's a five seat commission, and the Senate blocked the renomination of a Democrat whose term ended in December to keep the seat open for Trump to name a replacement, and Wheeler resigned at the end of Obama's term, as is customary (but technically not required) for FCC chairs at a Presidential transition unless asked to stay on.

Had Trump not been elected, the FCC would either be in a 2-2 deadlock (had the Senate blocked Rosenworcel's renomination despite a new Democratic administration waiting in the wings, which would be unusual but not implausible), or still a 3-2 Democratic majority.

This is Trump's FCC, even if he hasn't appointed the two members (only one of which can be a Republican) he can to fill vacancies.

Turing_MachineOP9y ago

"Yes, it does. It's not a 3 seat commission, it's a five seat commission"

And? All three of the members were still appointed by Obama. Not Trump.

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