President Barack Obama has nominated Republican Mike O’Rielly to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Communications Commission. Telecommunications industry insider and Democrat Tom Wheeler, the White House nominee to succeed Julius Genachowski as the Commission’s chairman, this week received the approval of the Senate Commerce Committee. Senate Republicans would prefer pairing Wheeler’s and O’Rielly’s nominations before they go before the full Senate for confirmation, something that won’t happen until after Congress returns from its August recess. O’Rielly, a New Yorker who is on the staff of Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, would fill one of two vacant Commission seats — the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2014, that had been held by Robert M. McDowell, who resigned. Because of resignations, the five-member FCC is down to one Republican and two Democratic members, including acting chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, who said she is “excited about working with Mike on the many important issues facing the Commission.” — News reports; FCC; The White House