Hearing set for FCC nominees; Sen. Grassley firm on threat to block them

By Brendan Sasso - 11/18/11 04:08 PM ET

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday Nov. 30 to consider President Obama's nominees for the Federal Communications Commission.

Obama nominated Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel to serve as commissioners on the FCC late last month. The nominees are considered uncontroversial, but Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has said he will block their confirmation until the FCC releases documents related to the wireless company LightSquared.

Grassley is not a member of the Commerce Committee, and his hold would take effect only after the panel approves the nominations.

“I am pleased to announce this important step in the confirmation process,” Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.), chairman of the committee, said in a statement on Friday. “These are exceptional nominees who will be effective advocates at the FCC. As we consider these nominations, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to address any concerns and move these nominations to a full Senate confirmation as expeditiously as possible."

A spokeswoman for Grassley said the senator's staff has met with Rockefeller's staff to discuss the nominations, but he has no intention of lifting the hold until the FCC releases the requested documents.

"Sen. Grassley hasn't received any materials from the FCC," the spokeswoman said. "He and Sen. Rockefeller talked, and their staffs subsequently met. Talks are ongoing about how Sen. Rockefeller might help to persuade the FCC to be forthcoming with the materials."

LightSquared plans to launch a wholesale wireless broadband service, but tests earlier this year revealed its network interferes with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. The FCC has granted LightSquared a conditional waiver to move forward, but officials have said they will not allow the company to launch its network until the GPS issues are resolved.

Republican lawmakers began calling for an investigation of the company after emails revealed LightSquared had communicated with senior White House aides. The administration also reportedly asked an Air Force general to change his testimony in a congressional briefing to make it more supportive of the company.