Groups Want FCC's Rosenworcel Out, Then Back In

Some deregulatory groups are trying to prevent a possible "compromise" vote on the renomination of Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel of the Federal Communications Commission, suggesting instead that she leave the commission after the current congress but return during the next.

TechFreedom and the Competitive Enterprise Institute have joined with a couple of others in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to say they supported Commissioner Rosenworcel's renomination but not if it creates a deadlocked 2-2 commission. Additionally, the did not support a remonidation before FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler leaves to remove the possibility of a Republican President and a Democratic majority on the FCC. That means they want Commissioner Rosenworcel to have to leave the FCC after the lame duck but then be returned to her seat after a new chair or third Republican commissioner is seated. They say they expect Commissioner Rosenworcel to be a "constructive participant" in reforming the FCC under a Republican majority but don't want her continued presence on the commission to prevent that majority during the transition.