Carr, Starks Confirmed To FCC

Brendan Carr

After holds from Democrats that were lifted late last year, the U-S Senate has confirmed FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to a full, five-year term and has confirmed Democrat Geoffrey Starks to the open seat.

Both had already been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, Starks in June and Carr a year ago this month for his current hitch filling out an unexpired term.

According to Multi-Channel News, the House does not have to follow suit, so once they are sworn in, the FCC will be at full strength with three Republicans and two Democrats. And since the commissioners' are essential personnel, Starks could come aboard before the government shutdown ends.

Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel has been pretty much a lone voice of pushback on the FCC's deregulatory agenda since the exit of Democratic commissioner Mignon Clyburn last June.

Geoffrey Starks

Starks had been assistant bureau chief in the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, which is not a typical launching pad for a commission seat, like, say, a Hill communications counsel would be, though the most recent Republican addition, Carr, came directly from the FCC as well.

The lift on the Carr hold freed up the full-Senate vote on Starks, which had been held up by Republicans, who generally want to pair up Republican and Democrat nominee votes but couldn't with the hold on Carr.

Carr is currently serving out the term of former chair Tom Wheeler. It actually expired in June 2018, but he could have continued to serve until the end of the new Congress—January 2020.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai welcomed both to the commission, leading off with the new Dem in his statement.

“I congratulate Geoffrey on his Senate confirmation," he said late Wednesday (Jan. 2). "He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, including having served most recently as assistant chief in the Enforcement Bureau. During his confirmation hearing, I was excited to hear him highlight the need to expand rural broadband and the power of telemedicine. I look forward to working with him and having a fellow Kansan on the Commission."