FCC’s Jessica Rosenworcel selected as acting chair. Kelly Slaughter will lead the FTC as acting chair.
1/21/2020 10:30
President Joe Biden has named Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai resigned Jan. 20. Pai served for four years as chairman and for eight years as a commissioner.
Rosenworcel has served as a Democratic commissioner on the FCC for eight years.
“Serving the American people as chairman of the FCC has been the greatest honor of my professional life. Over the past four years, we have delivered results for the American people, from narrowing the digital divide to advancing American leadership in 5G, from protecting consumers and national security to keeping Americans connected during the pandemic, from modernizing our media rules to making the agency more transparent and nimble,” Pai said in a statement issued Jan. 20. “It has been a privilege to lead the agency over its most productive period in recent history.”
The FCC currently has a 2-2 split between Democrat and Republican members until Biden appoints a permanent chair and his nominee is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
“I am honored to be designated as the acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” Rosenworcel said in a news release. “I thank the president for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.”
Federal Trade Commission
Joseph Simons, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, announced his resignation, effective Jan. 29, 2021.
“It’s been a great honor to lead this incredible organization filled with so many talented people working on behalf of American consumers,” Simons said in a news release. “As technology and our economy continue to evolve through the digital age, the FTC’s staff work tirelessly so that consumers continue to benefit from a fair and competitive marketplace. It’s been a privilege to be part of that effort.”
With Simons’ departure, members of the senior staff at the FTC will also leave this month.
On Thursday, Biden named Rebecca Slaughter as acting chair of the FTC, according to a news release. Slaughter has served as a commissioner with the FTC since May 2018.