Benton Statement on Ajit Pai Being Designated 34th Chairman of the FCC
On January 23, 2017, Ajit Pai thanked President Trump for designating him the 34th Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The following statement may be attributed to Benton Foundation Director of Policy Amina Fazullah:
The Benton Foundation urges Chairman Ajit Pai to keep vulnerable communities in mind as he commits to bringing the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.
Many of Chairman Pai’s positions put him squarely on the side of deregulation. However, he has also made known his belief that high-speed Internet access is critical to economic opportunity, job creation, and civic engagement and his commitment to close the digital divide.
While we may not agree with many of his specific strategies and deregulatory approaches, we can agree on making broadband expansion a priority.
The Benton Foundation looks forward to working with Chairman Pai to ensure that the promise of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is realized for all Americans, ensuring that quality services are available at affordable rates.