Democrats' Absences Make Sohn Votes Highly Unlikely This Week
The Senate was highly unlikely to be able to hold votes on FCC nominee Gigi Sohn this week even before the chamber's planned Monday night return from a two-week recess, amid a new set of Democratic absences. Senate Majority Leader…
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Chuck Schumer of New York and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut separately announced they're quarantining this week after testing positive for COVID-19. Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont is recovering from hip replacement surgery and it's unclear whether he will be available for floor votes this week. All 50 Senate Democratic caucus members' votes will be needed to overcome expected uniform GOP opposition in the tied chamber. Former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani and Free Press co-CEO Jessica Gonzalez criticized Schumer Sunday for refusing to use his power to bring Sohn up for a Senate vote to discharge her from the Commerce Committee's jurisdiction, an initial step to bringing her to the floor. "Instead of confronting the dishonest attacks" against Sohn that have contributed to the confirmation stall (see 2206240074), "Democratic leaders have dithered and delayed," Gonzalez and Tristani said in a New York Daily News opinion piece. "Schumer may be reluctant to call a vote for Sohn without clear commitments from 50 senators. But a small set of holdouts won’t commit unless a vote is called. And so Sohn waits as the midterm elections inch closer, and the Democrats risk losing power in Congress." The "absence of a fully functional FCC is a profound liability for the party at a time of multiple crises, when people rely on an internet connection to learn about job opportunities, seek vital healthcare and engage in civic affairs," Gonzalez and Tristani said: "If Sen. Schumer doesn’t call a vote now, Sohn may never get confirmed," which "would be an unforgivable failure for a Democratic Party that can’t seem to get out of its own way to serve the public."