January 10, 2017
As January 20 rapidly approaches, the future look of the Federal Communications Commission remains cloudy. As RCR Wireless has reported:
Leadership at the Federal Communications Commission remains in flux…
Late last week, President Barack Obama reappointed Jessica Rosenworcel to serve a second term on the commission, following the lapse of her previous term, which ended on Dec. 31. However, Congress still needs to approve Rosenworcel’s nomination before she can reassume her seat.
Rosenworcel’s return does have support, as Multichannel News highlighted:
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has signaled he would be open to confirming Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel to another term on the Federal Communications Commission, but also says the new President should get to nominate who he wants to serve on that commission.
A Republican-controlled FCC will likely make major changes — particularly to the Commission’s recent moves on Title II and online privacy — and it could start making those changes soon, as current Chairman Tom Wheeler is set to step down on Inauguration Day, leaving the Commission with just three members and a 2-1 split favoring Republicans.
Beyond the FCC, Multichannel News also reports that Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) has been given the nod to head the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Communications & Technology Subcommittee, taking the reins from Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore.).