Policymakers

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the following staff appointments and special designations to the Office of the Chairwoman.

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the appointment of P. Michele Ellison as Acting General Counsel and Joel Taubenblatt as Acting Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.  Tom Johnson is stepping down as General Counsel and has agreed to continue to serve in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Don Stockdale will be transitioning to the Office of Economics and Analytics.

As I saw President Joe Biden sworn in, my mind went back to the Senate as I knew it in the 1970s. It was a better place then. Don’t get me wrong, it was far from perfect. But there was civility, cooperation, an ability to listen rather than simply bloviate, willingness to cross the aisle on issues and votes, and, importantly, pride in the institution of the Senate. Members spent time together, traveled together, went to one another’s homes for dinner, across party lines.

Peter Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend (IN) and President Biden’s nominee to head the Transportation Department gave a shoutout to broadband internet during his Senate Commerce nomination hearing on Jan 21, which could help elevate the issue in a Biden infrastructure push. Buttigieg will be a leading figure on infrastructure matters if confirmed. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who co-chairs the Broadband Caucus, used her questioning to probe the matter.

The Department of Agriculture today announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions including:

The US Department of Agriculture announced Justin Maxson, CEO of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, has been named Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. Maxson served as the CEO of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, an organization that works toward poverty alleviation and economic justice in southern states. Before that, he spent 13 years as the president of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development.

On January 20, John G. Roberts, Jr., the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, swore in President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In the (few) hours since, President Biden has been very busy. On Thursday, we learned who will be heading the key agencies with jurisdiction over broadband as President Biden named the acting leaders of the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission. Here's a look at all three.

President Joe Biden has named Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission. 

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Jessica Rosenworcel on her designation as acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. For many years, Jessica has been a passionate advocate for bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans—particularly our children. Her designation comes at a critical juncture for the Commission, as COVID-19 has made bold action to end internet inequality more vital than ever. I look forward to working with her to close the digital divide and on the wide range of pressing issues facing the Commission.

I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden. I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.