One vote down, one to go for Robert McDowell. By voice vote, the Senate Commerce Committee has approved the nomination of McDowell, a telephone industry executive, as an FCC commissioner.

McDowell was one of several nominees approved by the committee for various positions; they await consideration by the full Senate.

If he is approved as expected, the Bush administration's appointment of the Republican will bring the agency back up to five commissioners with a 3-2 GOP majority.

(Radio World)