Baker May Get New FCC Term
Meredith Baker may get another term as FCC commissioner. Her name apparently was sent to the White House for renomination for a full term by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Republican industry lobbyists watching the process. Baker, a Republican, joined the commission in 2009, filling the unexpired term of Kevin Martin. He resigned just before President Barack Obama was inaugurated. Baker’s current term ends June 30. She had the backing of Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison, also a Texas Republican.
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The apparent move by McConnell may mean Senate Republicans will be amendable to approving Baker’s renomination in a package with the nomination of a new, Democratic FCC member to replace Commissioner Michael Copps, industry lobbyists said. That would mean the agency won’t be left with two Democrats and two Republicans if Copps leaves the FCC, they said. His term expired June 30, 2010, and he’s not expected to be nominated for another one.
A commissioner can serve after term expiration until the end of the subsequent session of Congress, in Copps’ case until whenever Congress adjourns this year. Baker could serve without reappointment until Congress adjourns in 2012. Baker’s office declined to comment, as did a spokesman for the FCC. A spokesman for McConnell didn’t reply to messages seeking comment.
For FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, keeping a 3-2 Democratic majority at the agency “would be helpful, but it’s not make-or-break for his agenda,” said analyst Paul Gallant of MF Global. “A 3-2 edge up to now was almost essential for the chairman on issues like net neutrality” and on conditions over Comcast’s recently completed purchase of control in NBC Universal, he said. “But now his focus is on less partisan items like” Universal Service Fund changes and spectrum, Gallant added.
Now that the White House reportedly has Baker’s name, it can formally propose to renominate her by transmitting to the Senate an official request. Industry officials said it’s not clear if the administration of President Barack Obama has settled on a Democratic nominee yet, even informally. Communication lawyers and lobbyists watching the process continue to mention Jessica Rosenworcel, who used to be chief of staff to Copps, as a frontrunner for the Democratic slot. A White House representative didn’t reply to a message seeking comment.
Rosenworcel now works for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. As Hutchison is key in helping decide who the Senate Republicans will ask the White House to nominate as a GOP commissioner, Rockefeller will be key in deciding who the administration picks in the Democratic role, industry officials have said. A spokeswoman for Rockefeller declined to comment.