The FCC loses a fierce consumer advocate as Mignon Clyburn resigns

Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is leaving the Federal Communications Commission after nine years of service. As part of the FCC's Democratic majority from 2009 through 2016, Commissioner Clyburn repeatedly voted for consumer-protection regulations over the objections of Internet service providers. More recently, Commissioner Clyburn has been on the losing end of many votes as the FCC's new Republican majority deregulates the broadband and telecom industries. Clyburn's term expired in June 2017, but commission rules allowed her to stay until the end of 2018 if she had chosen to do so. Rather than seek a new five-year term, she announced that the April 17 FCC meeting would be her last. Being an FCC commissioner has been "the most incredible opportunity for me," she said at the meeting. "In my wildest dreams, if I could have crafted my destiny, I never would have dreamed of this."