Two of the top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are questioning three Republican members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over their decision to attend last month’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Frank Joseph PallonePharma execs say FDA will not lower standards for coronavirus vaccine Dem chairmen urge CMS to prevent nursing homes from seizing stimulus payments Federal watchdog finds cybersecurity vulnerabilities in FCC systems MORE (N.J.), the committee’s top Democrat, and Rep. Mike Doyle Michael (Mike) F. DoyleHillicon Valley: Facebook removed over 22 million posts for hate speech in second quarter | Republicans introduce bill to defend universities against hackers targeting COVID-19 research | Facebook's Sandberg backs Harris as VP pick House Democrats pressure Facebook oversight board to address racist, voter suppression content Hillicon Valley: Facebook civil rights audit finds 'serious setbacks' | Facebook takes down Roger Stone-affiliated accounts, pages | State and local officials beg Congress for more elections funds MORE (D-Pa.) sent a letter on Monday to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and his two fellow GOP commissioners that included a list of questions about their CPAC attendance.

"Your willingness to attend and help promote a political rally raises serious concerns about your roles as leaders of an independent federal agency, and the potential of taxpayer dollars being spent towards political ends," the letter reads.

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The two Democrats asked Pai and his colleagues — GOP commissioners Michael O’Rielly and Brendan Carr — if they had consulted agency ethics officials about attending a political event and whether they had used FCC resources to prepare for the conference.



During his appearance at CPAC, Pai was given a courage award sponsored by the National Rifle Association for his efforts to dismantle net neutrality despite withering criticism. He later declined the award, citing the advice of FCC ethics officials.

Spokespeople for the three commissioners were not immediately able to comment.

Pallone and Doyle, outspoken critics of Pai’s deregulatory record as chairman, accused the three commissioners of injecting partisanship into the FCC’s work.

"Despite the Congressional intent set out in the Commission's authorizing statute, Commissioners seem to be using their positions during this administration as a platform to promote and even raise funds towards a political agenda,” they wrote. “Indeed, some statements by Commissioners made during recent events have created deep partisan divide at the FCC."