Deal cut to confirm Hundt at FCC

By DENNIS WHARTON

Reed Hundt could be confirmed as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission as early as this week under a deal hatched between the White House and Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.).

A D.C. insider said Friday that Dole has agreed to allow the Hundt nomination to move forward in exchange for a pledge from President Clinton to announce the names of Republicans to fill GOP slots at agencies such as the Federal Election Commission.

Though a GOP slot remains open at the FCC, the Clinton/Dole quid pro quo does not include White House plans to immediately nominate a Republican FCC member, said the D.C. source.