Two powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill have sharply questioned a move by the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to "unrecuse" a fellow commissioner and thus allow him to vote on whether to approve a merger between AT&T and BellSouth.

Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii wrote FCC Chairman Kevin Martin last night expressing his "disappointment" in Martin allowing former lobbyist and current commissioner Robert McDowell to vote on the proposed merger.

Representative John Dingell of Michigan sent a letter to the FCC's general counsel asking 15 pointed questions about past precedent of such recusals and other issues.

The obvious dismay expressed by the two men takes on added significance since the Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in November.

When Congress reconvenes in January, Inouye will be chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Dingell will chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Both committees oversee the activities of the FCC.