FCC's Jessica Rosenworcel Okayed For Another Term

Jessica Rosenworcel

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved FCC member Jessica Rosenworcel for a second term at the agency.

Rosenworcel, a Democrat and a former staffer on the Senate committee, moved over to the FCC in 2012. Her re-nomination for a full five-year term was quickly approved by voice vote at the start of a markup Wednesday.

The Hill reports her confirmation hearing in late October went relatively smoothly, with only a few tough questions about the FCC controversial net neutrality rules, concerns about the collection of FCC enforcement fines and criticism about the agency's sometimes delayed responses to Congress.

It is unclear when her re-nomination will get a vote in the full Senate. Usually partisan commission nominations move in pairs — one Democrat and one Republican. Leaders had predicted her nomination might move with a new Republican Federal Trade Commission nominee, but no one has been picked for the position yet.

There is no rush to move Rosenworcel's nomination. Thought her term technically expired earlier this year, she would be able to serve throughout President Obama's term regardless.