FCC Commissioner to Exit

FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell, who has served on the Commission since 2006, will step down from his position in the weeks ahead.  In a press release, Dr. Frank Wright, President & CEO of NRB, stated, “Commissioner McDowell has been an exemplary public servant in his seven years on the Commission. I am particularly grateful for his commitment to free speech and his work to remove the terrible ‘Fairness Doctrine’ from the FCC books once and for all. NRB is grateful for his leadership and wishes him the best in the future.”

Commissioner McDowell’s announcement has led to increased prognostication in Washington that FCC Chairman Genachowski may soon announce his exit plans as well. The nominations of Commissioners Pai and Rosenworcel were packaged together to help smooth their approval by the Senate last year, and many observers are expecting a similar bipartisan package of FCC nominations to fill newly opening Commission seats.

Update: FCC Chairman Genachowski announced his departure on Friday, March 22.  See NRB’s press release wishing him well.

By Aaron Mercer, Vice President Government Relations

Published: March 22, 2013