Blumenthal Statement on Confirmation of Ajit Pai as FCC Chair

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Ajit Pai to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor last week in opposition to the nomination.

“During his tenure over the past year, Ajit Pai has taken one step after another that are contrary to the public interest,” said Blumenthal. “He has launched an attack on net neutrality, and is working adamantly toward undoing the open internet order. Chairman Pai forcefully advocated in support of efforts to rescind the FCC’s broadband privacy rules – a blatant attack on consumer privacy rights, all the more striking in light of recent concerns about privacy. Signing up for the internet should not mean that you have to sign away your rights to privacy. Chairman Pai has raised severe doubts about his commitment to the average American consumer.”

Last week, Blumenthal wrote to Pai to express his opposition to the Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed acquisition of Tribune Media, and his deep concern that approval of the merger would defy the FCC’s obligation to promote diversity and localism in American media.