Rosenworcel Named Acting FCC Chair

Today, President Joseph Biden designated FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chairwoman of the commission.

She said: “I am honored to be designated as the acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden. I thank the president for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.”

In her time at the commission, Rosenworcel has worked to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st century success. From fighting to protect net neutrality to ensuring access to the internet for students caught in the Homework Gap, she has been a consistent champion for connecting all. She is a leader in spectrum policy, developing new ways to support wireless services from Wi-Fi to video and the internet of things.

Prior to joining the agency, she served as senior communications counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV and Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Before entering public service, Rosenworcel practiced communications law in Washington, D.C.

In response to the news, NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith said: “NAB applauds Jessica Rosenworcel on her selection by President Biden as acting chair of the FCC. She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has demonstrated great aptitude in leading communications policy during her tenure at the commission. We look forward to working with her and her fellow commissioners on regulatory policies that help local radio and TV stations serve the public interest.”

Greg Guice, director of government affairs at Public Knowledge, said: “Over the last four years, Commissioner Rosenworcel has advocated for strong consumer rights and protections on the full range of issues before the Commission, be it broadband affordability, higher speed broadband connectivity at home, or access to innovative technologies. Additionally, Commissioner Rosenworcel has spoken about the FCC’s important role in advancing the broadband economy.

“Public Knowledge looks forward to working with Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel to fully engage the public in a consumer-focused agenda to promote the economic, health, and educational benefits of a broadband connected economy. As a first order of business, we look forward to helping the commission launch a successful ‘Emergency Broadband Relief’ benefits program to ensure broadband is affordable to those families that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

ACA Connects President-CEO Matthew M. Polka said: “ACA Connects congratulates Jessica Rosenworcel on this well-deserved promotion to acting chairwoman of the FCC, an agency that plays a critical role in ensuring that all Americans have access to robust, reliable, and secure communications services.

“Over the years, ACA Connects has enjoyed working closely with Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel in her tenure as FCC commissioner on the key issues relevant to independent video and broadband providers, especially on policies designed to close the digital divide in rural America.

“ACA Connects looks forward to continuing our dialogue with Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel and working together on policies that encourage greater adoption of broadband services to ensure that no one is left behind and promote greater investment in expanding the reach of broadband networks to unserved areas.”