Senate Democrats are opposing a Republican push to confirm Danielle Thumann Severs, a senior aide to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, during the lame-duck session, warning that her appointment could leave the agency under one-party control.

Severs appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this week as Republicans sought to advance her nomination. Democrats objected to moving ahead without also filling a Democratic seat or extending the term of Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, a vocal critic of Carr’s approach to media regulation.

The dispute follows the November midterm elections and comes as Democrats prepare to assume greater congressional oversight authority. At the hearing, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., argued that the election result made a rushed confirmation inappropriate.

“After the American people last week overwhelmingly rejected the MAGA agenda, there is no justification for this committee to advance partisan nominees during the lame-duck period,” Markey said.

Republicans are expected to have enough votes to confirm Severs, although Democrats could use procedural tools to delay the process. Critics contend that a commission composed of three Republicans and no Democrats would violate the Communications Act’s bipartisan requirements, potentially exposing FCC decisions to legal challenges. The question could become significant for pending changes to telecommunications and media oversight.

Democrats also used the hearing to preview investigations into Carr’s leadership. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., said Carr should expect repeated appearances before congressional committees and threatened to use subpoena authority to obtain information.

“When we have the gavels in here, he will be here once a month,” Luján said, adding that Carr would face questions in the House as well.

Severs’ close professional relationship with the chairman drew particular attention. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., noted that she is Carr’s senior counsel and previously served as his legal adviser, with duties that included frequent meetings and work advancing his agenda.

Severs said she helped draft Carr’s proposed changes to E-Rate, a roughly $3 billion annual program that helps schools and libraries obtain affordable connectivity. Critics argue the changes could erode a program established by Congress.

She also faced questions about the FCC’s scrutiny of ABC and its broadcast licenses. ABC has challenged the agency’s actions, alleging First Amendment violations.

Severs said the FCC must investigate complaints and assess them on their merits. “I don’t think a decision should be made purely based on someone’s discontent with the content being aired,” she said.

She added that, based on publicly available information, the licenses were called for early renewal as part of an investigation into potential rule violations.