Democrats Hit Back at FCC IG Report

Democrats on the House Commerce Committee are pushing back on a report by the Federal Communications Commission Inspector General finding no evidence of a "concealment or cover-up" by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in communications with the White House regarding the failed Sinclair-Tribune merger. “While we appreciate the Inspector General’s office looking into this matter, we do not agree with its finding that Pai did not need to disclose this information in the public docket based on his commitment to Ranking Member [Frank] Pallone,” a Democratic panel spokesman said. Rep. Pallone asked Chairman Pai to commit to publicly disclosing White House discussions about the merger at a congressional oversight hearing July 25. Chairman Pai agreed, but didn't mention an earlier July conversation with then-White House counsel Don McGahn until a Senate hearing in August. The report notes commission rules wouldn't require disclosure of the conversation with McGahn in the public docket. Investigators also didn't find evidence of other communications between the White House and FCC staff on the deal. An FCC spokesman said the agency is pleased with the findings by the IG.