Tweet

Copps Named Acting FCC Chairman

Will Lead Commission While Genachowski Awaits Confirmation

Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 1/22/2009 4:50:45 PM

Washington-- President Barack Obama on Thursday named FCC Democrat Michael Copps as acting chairman, replacing Kevin Martin two days after he resigned on the final  day of the Bush administration.

"I am honored to be designated today as acting chairman of the FCC," Copps said in a statement. "I thank President Obama for his confidence in me and  for this opportunity to serve."

The FCC has three commissioners, two Democrats and one Republican. It normally has five commissioners.

"I am thrilled to congratulate my good friend and trusted colleague, Michael Copps, on his designation as Acting Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission," said fellow Democratic commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, in a prepared statement. "The FCC will benefit from his leadership, experience, and abiding commitment to the public interest."

Obama has reportedly chosen longtime friend and technology adviser Julius Genachowski as his permanent FCC chairman. Genachowski still needs Senate confirmation. As a confirmed FCC member, Copps did not need Senate approval to become acting chairman.

"I know that I have a truly gifted and terrific team to work  with.  I pledge every effort I am capable of to help steer the commission  through its current transition to new leadership," Copps said.

FCC  Republican member Robert M. McDowell praised Copps's selection.

"I am  pleased that President Obama has announced that my friend and colleague, Mike  Copps, will serve as acting chairman of the commission. I look forward to continuing to work with him at this unique time," McDowell said.

NCTA president Kyle McSlarrow, in a statement released Thursday, said, "we congratulate Commissioner Copps on being named Acting Chairman of the FCC. This is a well-deserved recognition of a distinguished record of public service, and we look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Copps and the FCC." 

Tweet

Talkback

» Submit Feedback

• FINALLY - THE WITCH IS DEAD. God help those suckers at the Aspen Institute. OK Michael, time to unwind lil'Kev's insanity. It's a new day at the FCC!

  
  Quigley Spargus - 1/23/2009 7:53:22 AM EST
» Submit Feedback

Related Content

• Topics
• Author

No related content found.

Also by this author

• Lincoln Heights

• Solution Driver: Payne: Cox’s Programming Dealmaker

• DTV Delay Gains Ground

• FCC: Cable Rates Up 122% Since 1995

• Martin's Parting Shot

More >>>

• Resource Center
• Browse Categories
• Browse Companies

Featured Company

• Bigband Networks

  

  BigBand Networks, Inc. NASDAQ: BBND provides broadband service providers with innovative network solutions designed to make it easier to move, manage and monetize video. These solutions are based on BigBand's video-networking platforms that are built to enable efficient and relia..more

---

Most Recent Resources

• The New Normal for Promoting Tune-in
• Infrastructure Design for High Volume Video Workflows
• Improving the Internet TV and Mobile Video Experience – an Adap..
• Increasing Efficiency in Digital Distribution of Media
• The Local Origination/Leased Access Metamorphosis