Senate Schedules Dec. 13 For FCC Nominees

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
How much time does the Senate need to consider a new candidate for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission? How's a day? The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing on the nominations of Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Deborah Tate and current Commissioner Michael Copps on December 13. If the Senate can approve Director Tate on the 14th, FCC Chairman will not be in the minority when he oversees a FCC meeting on December 15. Tate has been active on the voice over Internet protocol front (VOIP), weighing in at the FCC in her capacity as chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Washington Action Committee. Tate's resume includes legal counsel former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander and assistant to former governor Don Sundquist, who appointed her to the TRA. Clearly, her wheelhouse is telco matters, but she is said to be sufficiently free market to get the nod of broadcasters, according to someone who's paid a lot more than me to know.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6285335?display=Breaking+News...
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See a bio for Director Tate at http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/646