Senator Ted Cruz, in his final two months as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is aiming to widen the Republican majority on the FCC before Democrats take control of the Senate in January 2027. Confirming Trump nominee Danielle Thumann Severs would give Republicans an unusual 3-1 advantage on the FCC.
Cruz yesterday announced a November 10 nomination hearing for Trump's FCC nominee Danielle Thumann Severs, just before the Republicans' midterm loss.
If Severs is confirmed and current Democrat Anna Gomez is not renominated by Trump, the Republican majority could become 3-0 at the end of 2027, when Gomez would have to leave the commission unless Trump agrees to renominate her.
Cruz has two months remaining as commerce committee chairman and appears set on moving the Severs nomination to a full Senate vote.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The FCC's decisions shape telecommunications, internet access, and media regulation across the United States.
- A 3-1 Republican majority could move the FCC's direction on net neutrality, spectrum policy, and media ownership during a multiyear stretch without a Democratic check.
- The timeline gives Cruz a brief window to cement an advantage that would outlast his chairmanship and survive the Senate handover.
Background
The Federal Communications Commission has five seats, with no more than three belonging to one party. President Trump has nominated candidates to fill two vacancies. The current board has a 2-1 Republican majority, according to the source.
What to Watch
- Whether Severs advances out of committee after the November 10 hearing and reaches a full Senate vote.
- The procedural response from Democrats and any moves to delay or block the nomination.
- Whether Trump decides to renominate Democrat Anna Gomez, who would otherwise have to leave the commission at the end of 2027.
Checked
9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedCruz aims to advance the FCC nominee before Democrats take control of the Senate in January 2027.Ars Technica - All content: “Ted Cruz aims to stack FCC with Republicans before Democrats take Senate control. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is aiming to widen the Republican majority on the Federal Communications Commission before Democrats take over control of the Senate in January 2027.”
- SupportedA nomination hearing is set for November 10.Ars Technica - All content: “Cruz yesterday announced a November 10 nomination hearing for Trump's FCC nominee, Danielle Thumann Severs.”
- SupportedConfirming Severs would give Republicans a 3-1 advantage on the FCC.Ars Technica - All content: “Confirming Thumann Severs would give Republicans an unusual 3-1 advantage on the FCC.”
- SupportedCruz is aiming to widen the Republican majority on the FCC.Ars Technica - All content: “Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is aiming to widen the Republican majority on the Federal Communications Commission before Democrats take over control of the Senate in January 2027.”
- SupportedCruz is in his final two months as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.Ars Technica - All content: “In his final two months as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Cruz seems set on moving the Thumann Severs nomination to a full vote of the Senate.”
- SupportedCruz announced the hearing yesterday for Trump's nominee Danielle Thumann Severs, just before the Republicans' midterm loss.Ars Technica - All content: “Just before the Republicans' midterm loss, Cruz yesterday announced a November 10 nomination hearing for Trump's FCC nominee, Danielle Thumann Severs.”
- SupportedIf Severs is confirmed and Trump does not renominate Gomez, Republicans could have a 3-0 advantage at the end of 2027.Ars Technica - All content: “That could become a 3-0 advantage at the end of 2027 because FCC Democrat Anna Gomez would have to leave the commission at that time if Trump does not agree to renominate her.”
- SupportedGomez would have to leave the commission at the end of 2027 if Trump does not agree to renominate her.Ars Technica - All content: “FCC Democrat Anna Gomez would have to leave the commission at that time if Trump does not agree to renominate her.”
- SupportedCruz seems set on moving Severs's nomination to a full Senate vote.Ars Technica - All content: “In his final two months as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Cruz seems set on moving the Thumann Severs nomination to a full vote of the Senate.”