FCC's McDowell nominated for another term
President Barack Obama plans to nominate Robert McDowell, a Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission, to serve another term, the White House said on Tuesday. Commissioner McDowell was confirmed by the Senate on June 1, 2006. During his tenure McDowell has helped create rules governing wireless auctions and incentives to encourage the development of new broadband technologies, the White House said. President Obama has chosen Julius Genachowski to lead the FCC. The Senate is considering Genachowski and other nominations to fill that seat and one vacancy set aside for another Republican. Sources say McDowell was the choice of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Apparently, Sen Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, is backing former National Telecommunications and Administration acting head Meredith Attwell Baker for the other GOP seat at the FCC.