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President Names FCC General Counsel Brendan Carr to Fill Vacant Republican Seat

06/29/2017

President Donald Trump has announced plans to nominate FCC General Counsel Brendan Carr, a Republican, to fill one of the two vacancies on the Commission. One FCC vacancy, to be filled by a Democratic candidate, remains in order for the Commission to be back to its full five-member complement. The president on June 14 named former Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, to fill one vacancy. No more than three members of the FCC may be of the same political party. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a congratulatory statement.

“Brendan has a distinguished record of public service, having worked at the agency for over five years, including most recently as the FCC’s General Counsel,” Pai said. “In particular, Brendan’s expertise on wireless policy and public safety will be a tremendous asset to the Commission. I look forward to working with him in his new role and wish him all the best during the confirmation process.”

Democratic FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said Carr would be “a great asset to the Commission, calling him “well respected on both sides of the aisle” and saying that he’s “demonstrated a deep knowledge of the legal and policy issues facing the communications sector.”

As part of the Chairman’s staff, Carr is expected to support Pai’s efforts to reverse controversial “net neutrality” rules passed by the FCC’s then-Democratic majority that would subject broadband providers to the sort of oversight that conventional telecommunication carriers have faced.

Observers believe that both Rosenworcel and Carr will be confirmed by the US Senate.

 



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