FCC Gaining Experienced Leadership With Carr, Rosenworcel Nominations
President Donald Trump’s nomination of Brendan Carr to the open Republican seat at the FCC, combined with that of Jessica Rosenworcel to a Democratic seat, presages relative stability at the agency. Carr is seen as a likely reliable vote for Chairman Ajit Pai on most issues, industry observers told us, and both nominees bring long experience to the job.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Carr and Rosenworcel likely will have to deal with a number of controversial issues early on, especially net neutrality. Industry officials mostly praised Carr, saying experience as a Hill and FCC staffer, and as FCC general counsel, will be beneficial (see 1706290063). Carr’s nomination is expected to get support even from some groups opposed to the Trump FCC on many issues, especially net neutrality, former FCC officials said.
Carr “hasn't burned any bridges on either side of the aisle,” said Harold Feld, senior vice president at Public Knowledge. “He hasn't gone around declaring his critics socialist enemies of freedom. People like him and respect him, in part because he listens to people Pai won't talk to. While I expect he will be a reliable vote for Pai, I am hoping he will inject a moderating influence into an FCC majority that has so far taken a ‘my way or the highway’ approach.”
“There’s no question that the Trump White House is being very, very careful about the people they’re putting in these agencies that are dealing with very high-profile issues,” said Republican telecom consultant Justin Lilley. “Brendan is clearly a piece of a larger puzzle where they’re getting the most qualified people.” Carr and Rosenworcel both have long, deep backgrounds on communications issues, Lilley said. “I don’t think there’s going to be any period where there’s going to be a learning curve,” he said. “There’s not going to be time for a learning curve.”
“To me, the big takeaway is that Ajit, Brendan and Jessica, not to mention David Redl over at NTIA, are all longtime telecommunications professionals with extensive experience and industry knowledge,” Phoenix Center President Lawrence Spiwak said. “I think it is safe to say that none of them suffer[s] fools gladly. Hopefully, these appointments will mark the return of more analytical rigor and less politics in the telecom debate.” Redl is Trump’s nominee for NTIA administrator, though his nomination is on hold (see 1706280061).
If both FCC nominees are confirmed, “we would have a fully staffed FCC at a time when the agency has a great deal of important work to complete, especially with regard to 5G development and continuing progress on closing the digital divide,” said Larry Downes, project director of the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy. “We would have predictability and regulatory certainty, at least for some period of time, in which investment decisions can be made with relative confidence.”
“Stability has not been a word often thrown around Washington recently, but the nomination of Carr, in conjunction with Rosenworcel, will absolutely provide stability for the agency by moving the FCC one step closer to having a full complement of commissioners in place,” a TechFreedom spokesman said. The nomination ensures a quorum at the FCC “for the foreseeable future,” said Roger Entner, analyst at Recon Analytics. “Considering that Brendan is Pai's senior legal counsel they are in all likelihood aligned in most if not all issues.”
“Adding two seasoned professionals who already have experience with the FCC … should enhance the agency's stability and credibility,” said Fred Campbell, director of Tech Knowledge. He predicted the FCC could be headed for an era of relatively collegial relationships among the commissioners.
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn suggested she has no immediate plans to leave the FCC. Asked on C-Span’s Communicators about her intentions, given that her term expires on June 30 (though she can stay on until late 2018 if not replaced), Clyburn said: “If I were to look at the calendar, one would say that’s when my term of service ends, but just like politics and everything else, that’s not necessarily the case. I have not heard and I have not made any plans; I haven’t turned in any paperwork. I haven’t even talked to ethics about my series of next steps. So I am here to serve. I am pleased that I have the opportunity to do so and I will continue to be an advocate of those who don’t have any voice.” The interview is to air Saturday and Monday.