Looming departures, changes at FCC

After a busy week of announced exits at the Federal Communications Commission, the slow wheels of change are beginning to turn — both at the agency and on Capitol Hill.

The pending departures of Democratic Chairman Julius Genachowski and Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell are catalyzing a natural evolution. The FCC’s next most senior Democrat is among those angling for the driver’s seat, even as the White House eyes other candidates, and conversations are just beginning on Capitol Hill about whom the next Republican commissioner should be. But it’s just the beginning of a potentially lengthy process, one in which the FCC’s congressional overseers could clash with the Obama administration over the telecom agency’s work and its future direction. If anything, the past few months of Senate squabbling at multiple hearings featuring the commissioners may only serve as a preview of what’s to come. It’s almost impossible for Genachowski’s replacement to be confirmed in the few weeks before the sitting chairman officially departs. That only raises the likelihood that one of its sitting Democratic commissioners could take the helm in an interim capacity — a role that could fall to Mignon Clyburn, the next-most senior member.