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Cruz Control
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) has blocked the Senate from voting to confirm Tom Wheeler, the Obama Administration’s pick for the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Cruz, a Tea Party favorite, does not object to Wheeler’s credentials. He’s upset Wheeler might support a regulatory implementation of portions of the Disclose Act, a bill requiring full disclosure of who pays for political advertising. The bill would require corporations, super PACs, astroturf groups and other special interests to report to the Federal Election Commission when they spend more than $10,000 on airtime for campaign ads.
Cruz and several other Republican senators wrote the FCC in April to warn the bill violates corporate First Amendment speech rights and was unconstitutional.
With no chance the legislation will pass a Republican-controlled House and deadlocked Senate, the bill’s supporters have turned to the FCC with the idea the agency could act independently to require campaign ad disclosures, a suggestion that infuriated conservative Republicans who disapprove of any enhanced oversight powers for the regulator.
Cruz placed a formal hold on Wheeler’s nomination last week as the Senate prepared to vote an end to the 16-day federal government shutdown.
A spokesman from Cruz’s office made it clear as long as Wheeler continued to vacillate on a commitment not to regulate campaign ads, he will not get an up or down vote on his nomination in the Senate.
Observers suggest Cruz’s hold will stall spectrum auctions and, if extended beyond the fall, could eventually freeze Internet expansion programs for schools and libraries.
Acting FCC chairwoman Mignon Clyburn will continue in that role until Wheeler gets confirmed or another appointee is nominated and approved.
Is there no way to force a person out of Congress? I think it’s clear at this point that Cruz is just trying to sabotage the government. He is actively trying to harm the stability of the country. If that’s not an impeachable offense, I don’t know what is.
It would be nice if we could do that, especially if we could force the person in the white house out. That would solve a ton of problems there.
Trying to sabotage the government? No. Trying to stop big government spending? Yes. Ted Cruz is doing exactly what he was sent to Washington to do. As a fellow Texan I am proud that he is standing by his principles and doing what he was elected for. It would be nice if the guy at the top would do the same, but then again he has no principles.
I’m not even going to bother debating this with you. We both know how it will go. I’ll deny your accusations, you’ll reply with some personal insult about how I’m a liberal idiot (and maybe tell me I should just kill myself) and neither you nor me will change our opinions on the matter. It’ll be a complete wash. So, let’s leave it at that, then.
How funny! See I was gonna say you would be the one name calling, because thats how it always goes from the left. I’m not the type of person that name calls when trying to make my point. For you to assume that I would insult you is really typical. I prefer to debate on the issues, so for you to say “we both know how it will go” is flat out wrong. For you also to assume that Ted Cruz is trying to sabatoge the government is also wrong. Ted Cruz is doing exactly what he said he would… Read more »
Whatever you say, bud. Hope you have a good life.
You too, good luck to ya.
Phillip, I am shocked that you oppose Ted Cruz’s attempt to stop Tom Wheeler from becoming the next chairman of the FCC. Both you and Cruz both do not want Wheeler named to the FCC position. If you both agree to that, you should consider him an ally in stopping Wheeler. Just below the current article you list all the insider connections of Tom Wheeler, from his investments in 76+ telecom/media/tech companies to his employment as President of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, Earthlink, and Core Capital(investment firm with plenty of… Read more »
I don’t particularly trust Tom Wheeler and would be quite happy leaving Mignon Clyburn in place for the remainder of the Obama Administration. But this piece wasn’t about my views, it was about Ted Cruz.
Your view on Wheeler is “principled opposition” but Cruz’s view equals “hissy fit”.
Is that about right?
Yes.
Cool I appreciate your honesty.
Phillip – Your believe that your opposition to Wheeler is “principled” because Wheeler is a tool of the media establishment.. Cruz believe that his opposition is “principled” because of his belief in the First Amendment.
Doesn’t matter why you oppose Wheeler, since a vote against Wheeler is a vote against Wheeler. Just being practical/realistic here.