Telecom bills have been stalled in the Senate the last few months due to an impasse over Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s re-nomination to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The conventional wisdom a month ago was that the Senate probably would not re-confirm Rosenworcel in the lame-duck. However, her prospects seemed to have brightened. Although party leaders have not yet scheduled a vote for her re-nomination, there is a growing consensus among both parties on Capitol Hill that the Senate could grant her a second term sometime before Christmas.

Should the Senate vote to re-confirm Commissioner Rosenworcel in the lame-duck, it might do so as part of a broader package that includes other nominations. This deal may also feature some of the telecom bills awaiting a floor vote in the upper chamber. All eyes are on the Senate, as back in September, the House passed eight telecom bills in one package, titled the “Communications Act Update Act of 2016 (S.253).” Below are descriptions of those eight bills as well as six others that may come up for consideration either as provisions of or amendments to the Senate’s nominations and legislative package.