O'Rielly Getting Senate Republicans' Backing for Renomination to FCC
FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly has several top Republicans' backing him to remain for another term, a factor officials told us this month makes him strongly favored for renomination for five more years. One stumbling block appears to be the timeline…
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for President Donald Trump to re-up him amid a souring confirmations atmosphere generally. O'Rielly's term expired June 30 and he can remain until this Congress ends at the beginning of 2021. Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is among Capitol Hill Republicans backing O'Rielly for another full term. “He's been a terrific commissioner," Thune told us. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who O'Rielly worked for before joining the FCC, also supports a new term. O'Rielly has “been outstanding” at the FCC, Cornyn said. He deserves "another term if he wants it.” O'Rielly said earlier this year he's interested in further time on the commission (see 1902130043). The White House didn't comment Friday. Important to O'Rielly's chances is continued support from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lobbyists told us. O'Rielly was McConnell's “pick” for the GOP FCC seat in 2013 and “a senior staffer is very close” with O'Rielly, which makes him strongly favored to be Senate Republicans' continued recommended candidate for the role, said a telecom lobbyist who monitors the Hill GOP. McConnell's office didn't comment.