Jonathan Adelstein was sworn in on Dec. 3 as the fifth member of the Federal Communications Commission.

Adelstein was recently confirmed in the Senate by a voice vote and fills a seat left vacant by Democrat Gloria Tristani. The FCC, which typically reflects the White House party in power 3-2, had been a four-person show for longer than expected.

Adelstein was most recently a senior legislative aide to outgoing Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), advising him on telecommunications, financial services and transportation. Adelstein's term expires June 30, 2003.