By early next year, analysts and industry executives say the FCC is likely to lose three of its five commissioners — Republicans Michael Powell and Kathleen Abernathy, and Democrat Jonathan Adelstein.
Tom Tauke, executive vice president of public affairs at Verizon, told CBS MarketWatch to watch for a lot of changes at the FCC, including the departure of Chairman Michael Powell in 2005.
As a result, the agency is likely to move slowly on pending issues as new commissioners are nominated. The most likely replacement for Powell, analysts say, is Rebecca Klein, a Gulf War veteran and former head of the Texas Public Utility Commission who recently lost a bid for a House seat. Other names mentioned include current FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin and former Bush telecom advisors Michael Gallagher and Janice Obuchowski.
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