Senate to Weigh FCC Nominee on November 10
The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing on Danielle Thumann Severs' nomination to the Federal Communications Commission.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Telecommunications
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Danielle Thumann Severs' nomination to the Federal Communications Commission on November 10, 2026. If approved, she would be the fourth FCC commissioner and give Republicans a 3-1 majority.
Why it matters
The FCC has not had a full complement of commissioners since January 19, 2025, when Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel resigned the following day. The hearing comes after House Democrats asked Senate Majority Leader John Thune to include Gomez's renomination alongside Thumann Severs' hearing.
The hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. EST in Room SR-253 and will be livestreamed, with three other nominations also on the agenda. Whether Gomez's renomination will be added to the November 10 hearing has not been determined.
The players
Danielle Thumann Severs
Republican nominee to the Federal Communications Commission and former legal adviser to Commissioner Brendan Carr.
Ted Cruz
Republican U.S. senator from Texas who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee and scheduled the hearing.
Federal Communications Commission
The independent U.S. agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
The details
Committee Chairman Ted Cruz scheduled the hearing despite requests from House Democrats to include Gomez's renomination. President Donald Trump nominated Thumann Severs in August, and she is a former legal adviser to Commissioner Brendan Carr.
Timeline
January 19, 2025: The FCC last had a full complement of commissioners.
January 20, 2025: Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel resigned.
June 2025: Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington departed.
August 2026: Trump nominated Danielle Thumann Severs.
November 10, 2026: Senate Commerce Committee hearing at 10:30 a.m. EST.
The Tech Race
The nomination follows the January 2025 resignation of Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, which began a period of reduced FCC membership that has persisted through 2026. If confirmed, Thumann Severs would restore a Republican-led commission majority as the agency continues to oversee spectrum and telecommunications policy.
A full FCC commission would influence rules governing broadband, wireless service and broadcast licensing that consumers rely on daily. The 3-1 Republican majority that confirmation would create could shape the direction of those rules.
The takeaway
The FCC's composition determines how telecommunications policy is set, so Senate confirmation votes on its commissioners affect the rules that govern consumer connectivity. Following the November 10 hearing will show whether the commission returns to full membership.
What happens next
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold its hearing on Danielle Thumann Severs' nomination on November 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. EST in Room SR-253.
Further reading
Explore more on the Telecommunications beat for context on the FCC's regulatory role.
