Senate Panel Okays Jessica Rosenworcel As FCC Chair

Acting FCC chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday (Dec. 1) for a new, five-year term, meaning only likely, swift full-Senate confirmation before she becomes the regulator‘s first non-acting woman chair.

Nexttv.com reports the vote was not quite unanimous, with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) voting no, as he did on several other nominations being voted as a package.

“We congratulate chairwoman Rosenworcel on her approval by the Senate Commerce Committee for another term at the FCC,” NCTA–The Internet & Television Association president and CEO Michael Powell said in a statement. “During her time at the commission, Jessica has been a champion for connecting every American to broadband and she has only heightened this focus during her time as acting chair. We encourage the full Senate to swiftly move ahead with her nomination.”

“Charter applauds the Senate Commerce Committee on today’s vote approving the nomination of Chairwoman Rosenworcel for another term at the FCC," said the cable broadband operator in a statement. "Throughout her tenure at the FCC, Chairwoman Rosenworcel has proven herself a tireless advocate for consumers and we look forward to continuing to work together.”