Obama Nominates Meredith Attwell Baker to FCC

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President Obama has nominated Meredith Attwell Baker to succeed FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, a Republican, who left the agency last December. Baker, a former Commerce Department official, previously headed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She also has experience in the mobile phone industry.

Baker's FCC appointment will bring the panel back to five Commissioners, as Obama has nominated Julius Genachowski, a former FCC staffer, to become FCC Chairman. The President has also tapped Mignon Clyburn to fill a Democratic slot at the FCC. Clyburn is a member of South Carolina's public service commission and daughter of House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC).

Commissioner Robert McDowell, nominated for a second term, commented, "President Obama has made an excellent choice by nominating my friend Meredith Baker to be a commissioner of the FCC. I have had the privilege of working with Meredith for many years in both the private and public sectors and I know first hand of her strong commitment to public service."

Acting Chairman Copps added, "I am so pleased that with today's nominations we can begin to look forward to a fully-constituted FCC. With all the communications challenges confronting the Commission, I am looking forward to having the benefit of all the talents that five members can bring to our work. These nominees will get us there. I had the opportunity to work with Meredith Baker while she led NTIA and I quickly came to appreciate her intelligence, dedication and collegiality."

NAB Executive VP Dennis Wharton said, "NAB applauds President Obama and congratulates Meredith Atwell Baker on today's announcement. Her commitment to public service while serving at the NTIA, coupled with her understanding and appreciation of local broadcasting, will serve the Commission and the public well. NAB urges swift Senate confirmation and looks forward to working with Ms. Baker in her new role."