Voting in favor of the merger were commission chairman Kevin Martin and commissioners Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert McDowell, all Republicans.

FORBES: Government Approves XM-Sirius Merger

Merely a day after FCC commissioner Robert McDowell announced his resignation, it appears that chairman Julius Genachowski is going to do likewise.

ENGADGET: WSJ: FCC chairman Julius Genachowski will say tomorrow that he's stepping down

With senior Republican Robert McDowell also departing the commission in the next few weeks, two places on the FCC's five-person board will need filling -- with names like Tom Wheeler, Karen Kornbluh and Catherine Sandoval being bandied about as replacements.

ENGADGET

The only bright spots for Europe were the wins for Robert Karlsson, Justin Rose, debutant Graeme McDowell and impressive wildcard pick Ian Poulter, who justified his selection by ending up as the event's leading scorer with four points from five matches.

BBC: US secure emphatic Ryder Cup win