Wicker Cites Broadband Priority as Shift to Ranking Member Looms

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., acknowledged that he and ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will switch roles, and he said his priorities will include broadband. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will tip the Senate to Democratic control after the party’s winners in runoffs for Georgia’s two seats -- Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock -- are sworn in as soon as next week (see 2101060055). Wicker said Monday he hoped for the “same level of cooperation … across party lines” in the Senate as there was the last time the chamber was tied during part of 2001. “The close margin ... means it will be difficult to pass legislation without bipartisan support,” Wicker said. “This should discourage lawmakers from pushing far-left proposals that do not enjoy broad consensus.” He didn’t commit to unilaterally supporting President-elect Joe Biden’s nominees for FCC seats and other roles, saying he “opposed nominations in the past, and I will support only those nominees who I believe are qualified.” Wicker said that as ranking member, "one of my top priorities continues to be expanding broadband to rural communities. Lawmakers from both parties understand the importance of delivering high-speed internet to every community in America, and I will lead efforts in Congress to expedite making that vision a reality.” He also plans to “keep advocating for data privacy legislation that protects consumers’ personal information.”