FCC Commissioner Starks to Leave – Republicans to Have Majority in June

At last week’s FCC meeting, Commissioner Geoffrey Starkes stated that this would be his last FCC meeting.  In other words, he will be leaving before the June meeting.

This means that starting in June, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will have a 2-1 Republican majority.  Commissioner Anna Gomez will be the last remaining Democrat. As a result, Commissioner Carr can proceed with his agenda starting in June. 

Of course, Olivia Trusty has been nominated by President Trump as the third Republican Commissioner.  She has been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee and is very likely to be approved by the full Senate.  The question is when.  With Commissioner Stark’s departure, the FCC will already have a Republican majority, so any delay in her nomination will not impact his ability to move forward with his agenda.  Once approved, there will be a 3-1 Republican majority.  President Trump has not named a successor to Commissioner Starks.