The Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty to the FCC, a move that gives Donald Trump and Republicans a 2-1 majority on the commission.
The Senate voted 53-45 to confirm Trusty, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) the sole Democrat to vote in favor.
The FCC has been split 2-2 since Trump took office, and more recently 1-1, with the recent departures of Democrat Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington.
With the majority, the Republican-controlled FCC will be able to carry out some of the promised initiatives on Trump’s agenda, which has included a deregulation initiative. Broadcasters are pushing for lifting of ownership rules, which they call outdated.
But the FCC under chairman Brendan Carr, appointed to the post by Donald Trump, has also launched investigations of major media companies, including over the diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Carr also revived a complaint against CBS over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris, while Skydance and Paramount are seeking FCC approval for their merger.