Senate panel takes up Genachowski nomination

Julius Genachowski moved one step closer to taking his post as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The attorney-turned-entrepreneur received a strong endorsement from opponents of media consolidation during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Genachowski told the committee he would focus on implementing a national broadband service plan, promoting more consumer choices in telecoms, and making the agency's work more transparent to outsiders. Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) criticized the previous Republican-led FCC for pursuing a deregulatory agenda and lauded Genachowski. "Fix this commission or we will fix it for you," was the charter handed out sternly by Chairman Rockefeller. He said the commission had shortchanged consumers and the public interest, helping special interests at the expense of consumers. He even extended that to the "distasteful way" he said those special interests had clamored for their preferred FCC nominees. Sen Rockefeller said he was "thoroughly impressed" with Genachowski. The Committee wants to expedite a vote on Genachowski's nomination, as well as that of Republican FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, but Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark) said there was still no agreement on when that vote would be. From the praise both roundly received from both Democrats and Republicans, both seemed slated for approval.