Acting Federal Communications Commission chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday (Dec. 1) on a voice vote for a new, five-year term, meaning only a likely swift full-Senate confirmation remains before she becomes the regulator‘s first non-acting woman chair.
The vote was not quite unanimous, with Sen. Ron Johnson (R–Wis.) voting no, as he did on several other nominations being voted as a package. Also considered at the business session was Alvaro Bedoya to be the fifth member of the Federal Trade Commission. The panel split 14–14 on Bedova, but he is still allowed to advance to the full Senate for consideration.
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Committee chair Maria Cantwell (D–Wash.) introduced the vote as on Rosenworcel as commissioner, leading Sen. Jon Tester (D–Mont.) to ask whether that should not have been as chair. Cantwell pointed out that the chair post was a presidential designation, and that she had been so designated — meaning confirmation as “commissioner” was correct.
“We congratulate Chairwoman Rosenworcel on her approval by the Senate Commerce Committee for another term at the FCC,” NCTA—The Internet & Television Association President and CEO Michael Powell said in a statement. “During her time at the commission, Jessica has been a champion for connecting every American to broadband and she has only heightened this focus during her time as acting chair. We encourage the full Senate to swiftly move ahead with her nomination.”
“Charter applauds the Senate Commerce Committee on today’s vote approving the nomination of Chairwoman Rosenworcel for another term at the FCC,” said the cable broadband operator in a statement. “Throughout her tenure at the FCC, Chairwoman Rosenworcel has proven herself a tireless advocate for consumers and we look forward to continuing to work together.”
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