FCC’s Baker Defends Decision to Be Comcast Lobbyist

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker defended her decision to leave the agency for a lobbying job at Comcast, saying she has complied with ethics laws.

She said she had planned to seek re-nomination to the agency until late spring, but changed her mind after the Comcast/NBC job became available “in mid-April.” “Not once in my entire tenure as a Commissioner had anyone at Comcast or NBCUniversal approached me about potential employment,” she said. “I have not only complied with the legal and ethical laws, but I also have gone further. I have not participated or voted any item, not just those related to Comcast or NBCUniversal, since entering discussions about an offer of potential employment.”