Cruz Says He's Lifting Hold on FCC Nominee Wheeler

Sen. Ted Cruz says he's stopping efforts to delay the confirmation of Democrat Tom Wheeler as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Wheeler, in a meeting Tuesday, said crafting rules to expand disclosure of who pays for political advertisements wasn't a priority, Cruz said in an emailed statement. "Based on those representations, I have lifted my hold on his nomination," Cruz said.

Cruz, a Texas Republican, on Oct. 17 pledged to stall Wheeler’s nomination.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, on Monday began procedures aimed at approving six nominations, including Wheeler's, in votes that could take place this week.

Wheeler, 67, a venture capitalist and former cable and wireless trade association executive, was named in May by President Barack Obama.

Cruz asked during a confirmation hearing in June whether Wheeler would use the agency to force broader disclosures of who pays for political advertisements. Wheeler didn't give specific answers to Cruz's followup questions, Sean Rushton, a spokesman for the senator, said in an Oct. 17 email.