Senate Votes to Confirm Jessica Rosenworcel as FCC Chair

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 12:06pm CT

Jessica Rosenworcel

The U.S. Senate has voted 68-31 to confirm FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to another term, while elevating her from acting chair to permanent chair. She becomes the first woman to ever hold the post. Rosenworcel has been working as acting FCC chair since January and has been a Democratic commissioner at the agency since 2012. She was nominated by President Joe Biden as the agency's permanent chair in October and replaces outgoing Chairman Ajit Pai.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith said in a statement, "NAB congratulates FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on her confirmation to another five-year term at the Commission and her historic appointment as chair. She is a dedicated public servant who has demonstrated effective leadership and expertise on telecommunications issues during her tenure at the FCC. We look forward to continuing to work with her and her fellow commissioners on ensuring a vibrant future for free and local broadcasting."

Rosenworcel was previously re-nominated in December, 2015, and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee unanimously voted to reappoint her to another term. For her first term, Rosenworcel was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in May, 2012, and formally sworn into office on May 11, 2012.

Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior 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.