Copps is acting FCC chairman

Last week, President Obama named the senior Democratic commissioner, Michael Copps, as acting chairman until Julius Genachowski is confirmed
Author:
Publish date:
Updated on

After two recent Republican resignations, the FCC has only three of its normal five members. Last week, President Obama named the senior Democratic commissioner, Michael Copps, as acting chairman.

Copps, who led opposition to media consolidation by the Republican-controlled FCC, has served as a commissioner since 2001. Prior to the FCC, he had been a college professor and chief of staff for former South Carolina Senator Ernest F. Hollings. Copps has been a longtime critic of Republican handling of the DTV transition and supports a delay of the analog turnoff.

Kevin Martin, FCC chairman during the Bush administration, resigned on Inauguration Day, leaving the commission with two Democrats and a single Republican.

Julius Genachowski, President Obama’s chief technology adviser during the campaign, is expected to be named the new FCC chairman. However, the appointment has yet to be announced. Once it is, the Senate must confirm Genachowski.

The makeup of the FCC is three members from the political party holding the White House and two from the other party.

Related

Regulatory and Standards

<br/>Copps and Tate Confirmed to FCC

Before clearing out of town Thursday, the Senate managed to confirm Deborah Tate and Michael Copps as FCC commissioners. Copps, a Democrat, has been a commissioner since January 2001 and will serve a second five-year term that expires June 30, 2010. Tate, former director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, will fil

Regulatory and Standards

Tate to be Nominated, Copps Re-nominated, to FCC

Tate to be Nominated, Copps Re-nominated, to FCC The White House announced President George W. Bush intends to nominate Deborah Tate as an FCC commissioner and to re-nominate Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps. Tate, a Republican, is director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. In 2003, she was appointed the FCC'

Regulatory and Standards

FCC Commissioners Copps and Tate Sworn In

Michael J. Copps and Deborah Taylor Tate were sworn in as FCC Commissioners by Chairman Kevin J. Martin on Jan. 3. This is Tate's first term and the second for Copps. Copps said, "The last four and a half years have been tremendously transformative for the world of telecommunications and the media. The future holds e

News

NAB2007 to Feature FCC Commissioners Copps, Adelstein and Tate

FCC Commissioners Michael Copps, Jonathan Adelstein and Deborah Taylor Tate will speak on Tuesday, April 17 during NAB2007 in Las Vegas. The Commissioners will participate in the Broadcast Regulatory & Legislative Conference where attendees can interact with federal regulators, Capitol Hill insiders and legal e