FreedomWorks Foundation Statement in Response to the White House Rescinding Michael O’Rielly’s Renomination to the FCC

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the White House’s decision to rescind the re-nomination of Commissioner Michael O’Rielly to the FCC as a result of pressure from Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, commented:

“Time and time again over the recent weeks, Senator Inhofe’s pontificating on spectrum issues has shown to be false. His crusade against the Commission’s allocation of mid-band spectrum to Ligado has proven to be nothing more than a campaign to do the bidding of the Department of Defense and the military-industrial complex.

“It is especially concerning that a U.S. Senator, particularly one who chairs a powerful committee, would insert himself so directly into the dealings of an independent agency. This is a precedent that will create a ripple effect for years to come and our bedrock separation of powers will suffer for it.

“We would like to thank Commissioner O’Rielly for his years of service at the FCC. He has been a friend of liberty and an integral part of the deregulatory actions that have come from the Commission. We wish him the best of luck with whatever is next and rest assured that history will look favorably upon his time on the Commission.”