Senate Commerce OKs Clyburn, Baker For FCC
Vote from full Senate could come this week
John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 7/21/2009 4:30:41 PM
As expected, the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday approved the nominations of Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell Baker to the remaining two open seats on the FCC, according to spokesman for the committee.
The pair did not face particularly tough questioning at last week's nomination hearing in the committee, where a number of legislators signaled their support.
Baker, a Republican, is the former head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration and widely praised for her stewardship of the agency despite problems with the DTV-to-analog coupon program. Clyburn is a South Carolina utility regulator, former publisher of a small newspaper, and daughter of House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said Tuesday she hoped they and other nominees getting the committee's nod would be installed swiftly.
They still must get a vote in the full Senate, which could come this week.
Walter McCormick, president of US Telecom, agreed they should be installed as soon as possible. "We urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm them as FCC Commissioners," he said. "From promoting pro-investment policies that enhance broadband infrastructure and accelerate deployment to tackling universal service and inter-carrier compensation reforms, both Clyburn and Baker possess the insight and experience to propel a breadth of broadband-enabled innovations."
