President Biden has designated Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chairwoman of the FCC.
“I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “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.”
Rosenworcel replaces Ajit Pai, who served as FCC chairman under the Trump administration. Pai initially joined the FCC in 2012, was named commissioner in 2017, and officially stepped down on Jan. 20, 2021.
After serving an initial term of the FCC from May 11, 2012 to Jan. 3, 2017, Rosenworcel was confirmed by the Senate for an additional term on August 3, 2017.
In a statement, the FCC highlighted Rosenworcel’s priorities during her tenure at the FCC, including fighting to protect net neutrality and ensuring access to the internet for students caught in the Homework Gap. “Rosenworcel has worked to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st century success,” the FCC said.
Before joining the FCC, Rosenworcel served as senior communications counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. During her time in the private sector, she practiced communications law in Washington, DC.
