The sudden resignation of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington has intensified Republican efforts to confirm Olivia Trusty, President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Commission. With Chairman Brendan Carr now leading a quorum-less FCC, Trusty’s confirmation has taken on new urgency as Republicans scramble to restore the agency’s ability to function.
On Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture on Trusty’s nomination, a procedural move to limit debate and clear the way for a floor vote as early as next week. Trusty has been nominated to serve the remainder of former Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s term, which expires June 30.
Simington’s unexpected departure on June 6, coupled with the long-anticipated exit of Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, left the FCC with just two active members—Carr and Democrat Anna Gomez. The Commission requires at least three members to conduct official business, meaning regulatory reviews, policy rollouts, and deregulatory efforts are now on hold.
Thune’s cloture filing came the same day the situation was discussed at the Hispanic Radio Conference in Miami. Communications attorney Frank Montero noted underlying tensions between Carr and Simington, suggesting internal rivalry may have contributed to the abrupt exit. Simington followed his resignation with a pointed editorial in RealClearPolicy that criticized FCC leadership without naming Carr directly. Carr, for his part, acknowledged Simington’s departure only briefly in a blog post.
Trusty’s confirmation would restore a Republican majority and revive the Commission’s ability to act. However, while invoking cloture for executive nominations only requires a simple majority, Democrats have signaled they will oppose any Republican nominee unless a Democratic counterpart is also advanced. That political standoff has complicated what would otherwise be a relatively smooth confirmation process, as Trusty is broadly respected in communications policy circles and has experience in both legislative and regulatory roles.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to who will fill Simington’s vacant seat. Gavin Wax, Simington’s 31-year-old Chief of Staff, is reportedly under serious consideration by Trump as a replacement. Wax is known for his outspoken conservative positions on tech and media and his ties to Trump-aligned political figures. If nominated, he would bring a sharp ideological contrast and likely intensify partisan scrutiny of FCC leadership heading into 2026.