Washington Beat

The committee will consist of senior-level broadcasters who are women and people of color, and may include current NAB and NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) board members who are committed to advancing DEI issues in broadcasting.

The newest FCC Commissioner has named his wireless advisor and chief of staff while also selecting a media advisor, confidential assistant and staff assistant. At the same time, he's already saying farewell to two individuals who helped him set up his office.

"Congress has given the FCC its marching orders, and we are not wasting time." Those are the words of acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who released on Tuesday the agenda for the Commission's February Open Meeting. It will be her first heading the agency.

Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has wasted no time in making the Commission her own, until a permanent head to replace Ajit Pai is nominated by the Biden Administration. On Monday, Rosenworcel unveiled a slew of staff appointments and special designations to her office.

The General Counsel of the FCC is stepping down. While he has agreed to continue to serve in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has appointed his acting successor. Rosenworcel also made some moves in the wireless arm of the Commission.

During the meeting, the Energy and Commerce Committee will adopt the Committee Rules and its six standing subcommittees, as well as announce subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and members.

House  Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) has released the names of the Republican subcommittee leaders and subcommittee rosters for the 117th Congress. 

A resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Rep. Cheri Bustos and 42 House Members thanking journalists for their reporting during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

Ajit Pai's goodbyes came just hours after the Commission released a parting shot aimed at departing President Donald Trump: It denied a request to stay its unanimous decision to authorize Ligado Networks to deploy a low-power terrestrial national network using portions of its licensed spectrum.

Four years ago, the AEI played a key role in establishing a policy and regulatory path for an FCC under Republican Party control, led by Chairman Ajit Pai. As AEI visiting scholar Mark Jamison looks back on the Commission's Trump-era actions, he believes Pai will be remembered "as one of the most consequential Federal Communications Commission chairmen in history."

There's been chatter of late that those who views have been prevented from dissemination via social media can always turn to another media to get their point across to the American public. In fact, that media is perhaps the "first" social media -- radio. Only, it's not open for amateur or private use without a license.

The FCC on Friday announced the conclusion of bidding in the clock phase of Auction 107, the largest auction of mid-band 5G spectrum. It's also the highest-grossing spectrum auction, overall, ever held in the U.S.

On Thursday, new House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers shared the names of the eight GOP Members of Congress who will be seated with her on the committee that maintains oversight of the FCC. One day later, the Democratic leadership of the House E&C Committee unveiled the Subcommittee Chairs and Democratic Roster.

With the start of the 117th U.S. Congress, the House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader became Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who succeeds the now-retired Greg Walden. On Thursday, Rodgers revealed that eight fellow GOP members will be seated with her on the powerful committee that maintains oversight of the FCC.

It was a cavalcade of achievements that went on for hours. All of the presentations, however, couldn't overshadow the biggest takeaway from the Zoom-delivered highlight reel of The FCC's Past Four Years: Ajit Pai, Chairman of the agency overseeing media regulatory policy in the U.S., has presided over his final Open Meeting before departing next week.