President Donald Trump nominated FCC staffer Brendan Carr as the next Republican commissioner for the regulator.
Carr currently serves as the FCC’s general counsel. Prior to becoming general counsel, Carr served as Pai’s legal adviser on wireless, public safety and international issues. Earlier, he was an attorney at Wiley Rein, LLP.
The appointment is clearly favorable for Republican chairman Ajit Pai, particularly as he tries to undo regulations like net neutrality and business data services (BDS) reforms championed by his predecessor Tom Wheeler.
Depending on whether the Senate confirms Trump’s other nominations, when Carr is confirmed, he would bring the commission back to five members. The new commission would include Chairman Pai, Michael O’Rielly, a Republican commissioner and Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat whose term is about to expire.
Trump has also proposed another term for Pai and nominated Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel for a second term. Rosenworcel, who already served as an FCC commissioner, had to depart in January after her reconfirmation stalled in 2016.
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Pai applauded the choice of Carr as the next commissioner, citing his knowledge of wireless and public safety issues.
“Brendan has a distinguished record of public service, having worked at the agency for over five years, including most recently as the FCC’s General Counsel,” Pai said in a statement. “In particular, Brendan’s expertise on wireless policy and public safety will be a tremendous asset to the Commission.”