Alex Byers

Federal Communications Commission member Ajit Pai has spent much of the past three years being the FCC's Commissioner No, but he could soon find himself with a new role at the agency. As the most senior Republican, tradition makes Commissioner Pai the top choice to be acting chairman once the Trump administration gets underway - a position that would put him in charge of getting FCC proposals across the finish line instead of (often harshly) criticizing them. It could also be a test of Pai's word, as he has repeatedly demanded more bipartisanship at the agency and called for the text of proposals to be released before they get voted on -- two issues he would have control over as the agency's top dog.

If you thought House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) would drop his push for Federal Communications Commission process reforms once the GOP was in control at the agency, think again. Chairman Walden, who’s seeking the full House Commerce gavel in 2017, has been a big proponent of legislation to modernize FCC procedures. He helped steward bipartisan legislation that would’ve required the agency to study the idea of releasing texts of commission proposals before they are voted on. “My argument has been, I don’t care who’s heading up the commission, there's a flawed public policy process there,” said Chairman Walden. “So I hope with a new President and a new FCC, we can find common ground on process reform, because I think we can build out a much better FCC going forward that will serve the public interest better for the constituencies engaged.”

Liberals are still scoffing at a GOP draft bill to implement network neutrality rules, even though it might be their best chance to maintain prohibitions against broadband providers blocking or slowing down internet traffic. … The stakes are high: If President-elect Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission repeals the agency’s rules, congressional Democrats may have to make a deal on net neutrality or risk losing the internet protections altogether. But any post-election reckoning with Republicans’ new grip on Washington so far has not softened their line on the Republican legislative offering. While Democrats say they’re open to the idea of legislating on net neutrality, several were not enthused about the idea. Instead, they focused on ways to delay or hamstring a potential repeal of the FCC’s Open Internet Order. Many are even hoping the issue is so far down on Trump’s priority list that he wouldn’t actually undo it, especially if he feels it would upset the populist voters who elected him. “If you said net neutrality to him right now, he wouldn't know what you were talking about,” Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

A handful of House Commerce Committee legislators have had their names tossed around for posts in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, meaning the panel’s Republican roster could look markedly different in 2017. Already, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) has been nominated to be CIA Director. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), a member of the transition team, has also been floated for a Cabinet gig, and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) has expressed interest in heading the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) is advising President-elect Trump on energy policy, and if Energy secretary does not go to Trump pal and Oklahoma oil billionaire Harold Hamm, CEO of energy firm Continental Resources, Rep Cramer could be next in line. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) is also on the transition team, and one never knows at this stage in the administration buildout what could happen. The potential for moves hasn’t gone unnoticed in Hill offices — especially for members who might have a shot to move up in seniority or grab a subcommittee gavel if other lawmakers depart. The new panel’s roster for the next Congress, which is also contingent on how many spots each party gets based on the size of the GOP’s House majority, will likely come out sometime in the next few weeks. After the 2014 election, the panel got six new Republicans; they were named in late November.

An impassioned debate is raging among the hundreds of software engineers, designers, and other technologists who left Democratic-leaning Silicon Valley and other tech enclaves to work for President Barack Obama: Do they want to stay in a Washington run by President Donald Trump?

They describe having one hand on the keyboard and the other on the doorknob as they decide what’s next, Nancy reports. While some high-ranking tech staffers in the federal ranks have already said they’re not going anywhere, others are concerned that staying could put them in a tough spot, especially if they’re asked to work on a project at odds with their values. "The arguments are really clear," says Anil Dash, a New York City entrepreneur whose commentary is widely followed in the tech industry. "The one side is, you came to serve and there's still a need. The other is: ‘Do we legitimize this Administration?’”

Federal Communications Commission member Jessica Rosenworcel is facing new obstacles to win re-confirmation in the Senate for another term, and the clock is also working against her.

Commissioner Rosenworcel’s already fraught path to confirmation was dealt a potential death blow when Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) put a hold on her nomination, citing inaction on several recent FCC proposals. The holds further complicate the calculus for Commissioner Rosenworcel. Unless lawmakers reconfirm her, she must leave the FCC when this Congress adjourns. Republicans have also had longstanding holds on Rosenworcel’s nomination, sparking previous retaliation from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who’s been standing in the way of technology and telecommunications bills coming out of the Senate Commerce Committee. Now that some Democrats are also holding up Commissioner Rosenworcel, the Commerce Committee’s leadership is calling on Sen Reid, who is retiring, to let its legislation through. “Bipartisan technology legislation passed by the Commerce Committee should not face further delay from the Senate Minority Leader over a nominee Senate Democrats are now blocking,” said committee spokesman Frederick Hill. Among the bills Hill flagged that are in need of passage are the MOBILE NOW Act and The FCC Reauthorization Act, both of which are on Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune’s (R-SD) priority list.

Public Knowledge President Gene Kimmelman questioned whether Commissioner Rosenworcel is the right choice for Democrats, but Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood said he disagreed with the holds on her nomination. “Free Press does not support the strategy, nor do we believe the claims underlying it. We did not ask any senators to take this step,” said Wood.

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) is urging the Federal Communications Commission to press pause on any new regulations. "The notion of instituting new rules and regulations, cramming stuff out the door, is unnecessary, unwanted and unfair - and needs to cease and desist," Chairman Walden said. His message comes as Republicans embrace their newfound control of Washington, and as Chairman Walden himself seeks the role of chairman of the full House Commerce Committee. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has a couple of pending issues on his plate, including his plans to open up the cable-box market and increase competition among business broadband providers.

Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn’s summer pursuits are fueling speculation about whether she's eyeing an eventual run for her father's seat in Congress. Her just-completed cross-country tour and policy conference in DC have the trappings of someone looking to set the stage for a bigger role, and many expect that her 7-year stint at the FCC is nearing its end. Rep Jim Clyburn (D-SC) has shown little sign he's getting ready to step down. But key South Carolina Democrats who know Commissioner Mignon say the congressional role is squarely on her radar -- and state Democratic powerbroker Dick Harpootlian says she would immediately be the front-runner. DC folks in her orbit, however, are less convinced she will go the Capitol Hill route -- and they have their own thoughts on what she might pursue after the FCC.

It’s not clear if a Donald Trump administration would approach tech and telecom policy the same way as conventional Republicans, but putting unknowns aside, a look at four issues where Trump could attempt to undo President Barack Obama’s tech legacy. 1) On the subject of network neutrality, a Trump Federal Communications Commission could try to repeal the Open Internet Order, but it would likely take a time-consuming notice-and-comment rulemaking process. 2) When it comes to internet governance, Trump has previously echoed Sen Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) opposition to the ICANN transition, which shifted the internet domain naming and numbering system to a nonprofit, from US government oversight. Trump might attempt to reverse the transition, but the options to do so are limited. 3) Regarding encryption, Trump has previously panned Apple’s stance versus the FBI and has the potential to appoint law enforcement heads who could more aggressively push the issue. 4) Media is another area where Trump could take a different tact, with an opportunity to “open up” libel laws and use the FCC to take action against outlets he disagrees with.

In an effort to address the spotty access to broadband in many rural regions, Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) introduced the Public Lands Telecommunications Act.

It authorizes agencies with jurisdiction over public-land management, like the National Parks Service, to collaborate with surrounding communities to build a more comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure. “This approach to improved connectivity has something for everyone: visitors could see improved interpretive services and public safety, land management agencies could practice more efficient land management, and neighboring rural and remote communities will benefit from improved broadband access,” Rep Huffman said.