On Tuesday, President Trump nominated Jessica Rosenworcel to fill the open Democratic spot on the FCC. She previously served on the Commission from 2012 through the end of last year, but stepped down when the Senate did not extend her expired term before the end of their session. Rosenworcel is a vocal advocate for net neutrality and closing the “homework gap” in broadband accessibility.
The five-member FCC is currently operating with just three members: Republicans Ajit Pai and Michael O’Rielly, and Democrat Mignon Clyburn. There are currently two vacant slots on the Commission, one for each party.
In March, Trump reportedly withdrew Rosenworcel’s renomination by President Barack Obama from the Senate. However, Rosenworcel resurfaced in recent weeks as one of two frontrunners to fill the two open seats on the Commission. Recode recently pegged Brendan Carr, currently general counsel for Ajit Pai’s FCC, as the favorite for the Republican slot.
The NCTA – The Internet & Television Association released a statement on Wednesday putting its support behind Rosenworcel’s return to the Commission.
“We congratulate Jessica Rosenworcel on the news that she will be renominated as FCC Commissioner and look forward to welcoming her back to the Commission,” NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell says. “During her first term as Commissioner, Jessica proved to be an outstanding public servant who championed policies that enable American consumers to benefit from the tremendous changes taking place in the communications and technology marketplace. We share Jessica’s passion for promoting policies that close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans, especially students, have access to the many benefits that the internet offers.”
If she is swiftly confirmed by the Senate, Rosenworcel would rejoin fellow Democrat Mignon Clyburn on the Commission – though perhaps not for long. Clyburn’s tenure is set to expire at the end of this month, and the Trump Administration has not said whether it intends to renominate her for another term.
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