Nandita Bhose

(Reuters) – The White House expected to push again Monday morning to convince the U.S. Senate that President Joe Biden has nominated top positions at Federal Trade Commission or Federal Communications Commission agencies, a senior administration official stated.

Officials said that the FCC will renew the nominations for Gigi Son at the FCC, Alvaro Bedoya from the FTC and Alan Davidson, to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Senate Democrats can use the nominations which were expired during the December session to help them move on with their confirmations.

Republican opposition to the nominations has caused delays. This delay prevented Democrats from gaining a majority in these agencies, and allowing them to prioritize priorities like strong antitrust enforcement or net neutrality rules.

Sohn, a former senior adviser to Tom Wheeler who was FCC chairman under President Barack Obama’s administration, faces most resistance from Republicans. He has yet to receive a vote by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Biden was unable to nominate for the FCC until nine months after he left. The FCC is currently divided 2-2 among Republicans and Democrats, so it has been slow to resolve key issues.

Although the Senate Commerce Committee was unable to vote on December’s nomination of Bedoya, it is able to proceed to the Senate full Senate under its rules. Also, the FTC is split equally between both parties.

Davidson was able to clear the Senate Commerce Committee late last year by voice vote to become the NTIA’s head, but his nomination could be subject to a formal roll call vote on the Senate Floor due to some Republicans opposing it.