Rosenworcel Named Acting FCC Chair

• President Joe Biden has designated FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. The announcement was made following Wednesday’s resignation of Chairman Ajit Pai, a Trump appointee.

Rosenworcel has been with the FCC since 2012 and is the senior Democrat on the Commission. In a statement, Rosenworcel said, “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.”

Prior to joining the FCC in 2012, Rosenworcel served as Sr. Communications Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Rosenworcel practiced communications law in Washington, DC. A native of Hartford, CT, Rosenworcel is a graduate of Wesleyan University and NYU School of Law.

In response to the announcement of Rosenworcel’s interim elevation, NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith released a statement that read, “NAB applauds Jessica Rosenworcel on her selection by President Biden as acting chair of the FCC. She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has demonstrated great aptitude in leading communications policy during her tenure at the Commission. We look forward to working with her and her fellow Commissioners on regulatory policies that help local radio and TV stations serve the public interest.”