Democrats vow monthly hearings for FCC chief Carr and set Nov. 30 deadline for his records

Senate Democrats have warned the Republican head of the Federal Communications Commission that a new kind of scrutiny starts in January. The FCC is the agency that licenses the TV and radio stations Americans watch and hear. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico spoke directly to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing ¹.

Mr. Carr, if you're listening now, know you're going to be in this body once a month, if not more

Luján went further, saying he did not expect Carr to remain at the agency for more than another three or four months ². He also told the nominee, "you don't have the protection of the gavel any longer" ². Luján is expected to lead the Senate Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications in the new Congress ⁴.

A hearing about Carr's own aide

The hearing was meant to consider Danielle Thumann Severs, Carr's senior counsel, whom President Trump has nominated to the third Republican seat on the five-member commission ¹². Much of the questioning was really about her boss. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said, "We should be investigating the FCC, not confirming a Brendan Carr advisor to the commission" ².

Markey asked whether the FCC can punish a broadcaster because the president dislikes its coverage. Thumann Severs repeated Carr's argument: "Broadcasters are subject to public interest obligations as part of the public trustee model" ¹. Markey replied that the FCC "cannot punish a broadcaster simply because the president doesn't like its coverage," and he said Carr "has threatened to do exactly that" ².

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The committee chairman, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, also raised concerns. He pointed to the FCC asking ABC-owned stations to file their license renewals early ¹, and to its investigation of eight ABC-owned stations after Carr criticized an episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ². Cruz warned that "there is always a risk that it could weaponize its authority against Americans with whom it disagrees" ¹. Thumann Severs told him she would not use the agency's power to lean on or penalize broadcasters over protected speech ¹.

Democrats are also worried about who sits on the commission. Right now the only Democrat is Commissioner Anna Gomez, whose term expired earlier this year. Democrats fear that if a third Republican is confirmed, Republicans could hold a quorum on their own, which would leave the president free to fire Gomez ¹. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado urged the Senate to renominate her alongside Thumann Severs ¹².

Records requested for 18 months

Separately, on Nov. 5, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Carr again ³. He told the FCC to start handing over records by Nov. 30 and to finish by Jan. 4, 2027. If it does not, Blumenthal wrote, the subcommittee will have "no choice but to consider alternative measures to obtain compliance" ³. Politico reported that this means compelling a response, a reference to subpoenas, which Democrats can issue once they hold the majority ⁴.

Blumenthal says he sent three earlier letters, in March 2025, July 2025 and February 2026, and that Carr never answered with records ³. The inquiry began in March 2025. It cited eight FCC actions against outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR and PBS, and it noted that the agency had not targeted outlets friendly to the president in the same way ⁷.

Under the new standard that appears to have been set by Chair Carr, however, every newsroom, affiliate group, and broadcaster across the country faces the possibility of burdensome investigations, fines, and even the revocation of licenses

Politico listed more actions Democrats want to examine. They include Carr's threat to punish broadcasters that aired Kimmel's jokes, an equal-time investigation into political guests on "The View," and a threat to revoke licenses in connection with a diversity investigation of Disney, which owns ABC ⁴. Carr denies that he polices speech or favors Trump. He says he is trying to restore trust in the media and enforce longstanding broadcast rules ⁴.

Carr's answer: 'full steam ahead'

Carr has played down the threat. Asked at an Oct. 29 news conference whether a possible subpoena was shaping his plans, he said there were no concerns on his end. He added that he had already appeared before House and Senate panels three or four times ⁴⁵.

It's full steam ahead, and we're going to continue to execute it inside the building.

The FCC did not respond to Politico's request for comment on the Democrats' election wins ⁴. Our sources reported no response from Carr or the FCC to Blumenthal's latest letter ³.

What Democrats could actually do

Hearings are only one tool. The new Congress begins Jan. 3, and press freedom groups have already set up calls with lawmakers, Poynter reported Friday ⁶. Several experts called the PRESS Act the "lowest hanging fruit." That bill would shield reporters from being forced to reveal their sources. The House passed it unanimously in 2024, but it stalled in the Senate after Trump told Republicans to kill it ⁶. Advocates also want stronger Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules, the law that lets the public request government records, and a federal law against meritless lawsuits meant to silence critics ⁶.

Democrats should at least try, and if they can't, it'll be clear why they can't.

That matters because Democrats will not have enough votes to override a Trump veto ⁶. What they will have is the power to call witnesses, demand documents and make officials answer questions on the record. For more than a year, Carr has been able to leave those questions unanswered. After January, that gets harder.

The Record

1. Mar 13, 2025Sen. Richard Blumenthal opens a preliminary inquiry into whether the FCC was targeting news outlets the president dislikes, citing eight actions ⁷
2. Oct 29, 2026Carr says the FCC's agenda will continue 'full steam ahead' and that possible subpoenas don't concern him ⁴⁵
3. Nov 5, 2026Blumenthal writes to Carr again, setting a Nov. 30 deadline to start producing records and warning of 'alternative measures' ³
4. Nov 10, 2026At a Senate Commerce hearing on Carr's aide Danielle Thumann Severs, Sen. Luján says Carr will be called to testify 'once a month, if not more' ¹²

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<h2>Democrats vow monthly hearings for FCC chief Carr and set Nov. 30 deadline for his records</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Investigations Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/democrats-vow-monthly-hearings-for-fcc-chief-carr-and-set-nov-30-deadline-for-his">The GOP Files</a> on Friday, November 13, 2026.</em></p> <p>Senate Democrats have warned the Republican head of the Federal Communications Commission that a new kind of scrutiny starts in January. The FCC is the agency that licenses the TV and radio stations Americans watch and hear. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico spoke directly to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing .</p> <blockquote><p>Mr. Carr, if you&#39;re listening now, know you&#39;re going to be in this body once a month, if not more</p><p>&mdash; Ben Ray Luján, U.S. senator, D-N.M.</p></blockquote> <p>Luján went further, saying he did not expect Carr to remain at the agency for more than another three or four months . He also told the nominee, &quot;you don&#39;t have the protection of the gavel any longer&quot; . Luján is expected to lead the Senate Commerce subcommittee on telecommunications in the new Congress .</p> <h2>A hearing about Carr&#39;s own aide</h2> <p>The hearing was meant to consider Danielle Thumann Severs, Carr&#39;s senior counsel, whom President Trump has nominated to the third Republican seat on the five-member commission . Much of the questioning was really about her boss. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said, &quot;We should be investigating the FCC, not confirming a Brendan Carr advisor to the commission&quot; .</p> <p>Markey asked whether the FCC can punish a broadcaster because the president dislikes its coverage. Thumann Severs repeated Carr&#39;s argument: &quot;Broadcasters are subject to public interest obligations as part of the public trustee model&quot; . Markey replied that the FCC &quot;cannot punish a broadcaster simply because the president doesn&#39;t like its coverage,&quot; and he said Carr &quot;has threatened to do exactly that&quot; .</p> <p>The committee chairman, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, also raised concerns. He pointed to the FCC asking ABC-owned stations to file their license renewals early , and to its investigation of eight ABC-owned stations after Carr criticized an episode of &quot;Jimmy Kimmel Live!&quot; . Cruz warned that &quot;there is always a risk that it could weaponize its authority against Americans with whom it disagrees&quot; . Thumann Severs told him she would not use the agency&#39;s power to lean on or penalize broadcasters over protected speech .</p> <p>Democrats are also worried about who sits on the commission. Right now the only Democrat is Commissioner Anna Gomez, whose term expired earlier this year. Democrats fear that if a third Republican is confirmed, Republicans could hold a quorum on their own, which would leave the president free to fire Gomez . Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado urged the Senate to renominate her alongside Thumann Severs .</p> <h2>Records requested for 18 months</h2> <p>Separately, on Nov. 5, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Carr again . He told the FCC to start handing over records by Nov. 30 and to finish by Jan. 4, 2027. If it does not, Blumenthal wrote, the subcommittee will have &quot;no choice but to consider alternative measures to obtain compliance&quot; . Politico reported that this means compelling a response, a reference to subpoenas, which Democrats can issue once they hold the majority .</p> <p>Blumenthal says he sent three earlier letters, in March 2025, July 2025 and February 2026, and that Carr never answered with records . The inquiry began in March 2025. It cited eight FCC actions against outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR and PBS, and it noted that the agency had not targeted outlets friendly to the president in the same way .</p> <blockquote><p>Under the new standard that appears to have been set by Chair Carr, however, every newsroom, affiliate group, and broadcaster across the country faces the possibility of burdensome investigations, fines, and even the revocation of licenses</p><p>&mdash; Richard Blumenthal, U.S. senator, D-Conn., ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations</p></blockquote> <p>Politico listed more actions Democrats want to examine. They include Carr&#39;s threat to punish broadcasters that aired Kimmel&#39;s jokes, an equal-time investigation into political guests on &quot;The View,&quot; and a threat to revoke licenses in connection with a diversity investigation of Disney, which owns ABC . Carr denies that he polices speech or favors Trump. He says he is trying to restore trust in the media and enforce longstanding broadcast rules .</p> <h2>Carr&#39;s answer: &#39;full steam ahead&#39;</h2> <p>Carr has played down the threat. Asked at an Oct. 29 news conference whether a possible subpoena was shaping his plans, he said there were no concerns on his end. He added that he had already appeared before House and Senate panels three or four times .</p> <blockquote><p>It&#39;s full steam ahead, and we&#39;re going to continue to execute it inside the building.</p><p>&mdash; Brendan Carr, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (Republican)</p></blockquote> <p>The FCC did not respond to Politico&#39;s request for comment on the Democrats&#39; election wins . Our sources reported no response from Carr or the FCC to Blumenthal&#39;s latest letter .</p> <h2>What Democrats could actually do</h2> <p>Hearings are only one tool. The new Congress begins Jan. 3, and press freedom groups have already set up calls with lawmakers, Poynter reported Friday . Several experts called the PRESS Act the &quot;lowest hanging fruit.&quot; That bill would shield reporters from being forced to reveal their sources. The House passed it unanimously in 2024, but it stalled in the Senate after Trump told Republicans to kill it . Advocates also want stronger Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules, the law that lets the public request government records, and a federal law against meritless lawsuits meant to silence critics .</p> <blockquote><p>Democrats should at least try, and if they can&#39;t, it&#39;ll be clear why they can&#39;t.</p><p>&mdash; Seth Stern, Chief of advocacy, Freedom of the Press Foundation</p></blockquote> <p>That matters because Democrats will not have enough votes to override a Trump veto . What they will have is the power to call witnesses, demand documents and make officials answer questions on the record. For more than a year, Carr has been able to leave those questions unanswered. After January, that gets harder.</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/democrats-vow-monthly-hearings-for-fcc-chief-carr-and-set-nov-30-deadline-for-his">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/democrats-vow-monthly-hearings-for-fcc-chief-carr-and-set-nov-30-deadline-for-his.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. Roll Call, “Threats to broadcasters hang over FCC nominee hearing” (2026-11-10). rollcall.com/2026/11/10/threats-to-broadcasters-hang-over-fc
2. TV Technology, “Senator Questions Carr's Future at FCC” (2026-11-10). tvtechnology.com/regulatory-legal/fcc/senator-questions-carr
3. TV Technology, “Democratic Senator Sends Warning to FCC Chairman Carr” (2026-11-06). tvtechnology.com/regulatory-legal/fcc/democratic-senator-sen
4. Politico (via Yahoo News), “Democrats' sweep puts Brendan Carr in the hot seat” (2026-11-07). yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/democrats-sweep-puts-brenda
5. Inside Radio, “New Congress, New Scrutiny: Carr Says FCC Won't Slow Down” (2026-11-05). insideradio.com/free/new-congress-new-scrutiny-carr-says-fcc
6. Poynter, “Here's what a Democratic-controlled Congress could do to protect press freedom” (2026-11-13). poynter.org/reporting-editing/2026/democrats-house-senate-pr
7. Office of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (senate.gov), “Blumenthal Opens Preliminary Inquiry Into FCC's Political Targeting of Newsrooms” (2025-03-13). blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-open
8. Broadband Breakfast, “Luján Wants Carr Testifying 'Once a Month' Under Dem Congress” (2026-11-10). broadbandbreakfast.com/lujan-wants-carr-testifying-once-a-mo

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