White House Nominates New FCC Commissioner, Copps Tapped for New Term

NEWINGTON, CT, November 10, 2005--President George W. Bush has nominated Deborah T. Tate of Tennessee, a Republican, to serve out the remainder of the term of former FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell, which expires June 30, 2007. Powell announced his resignation one day into President Bush's second term, and he departed the FCC last March. Under FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, a Republican who succeeded Powell, the FCC has been operating with four members ever since. The White House this week also reappointed Commissioner Michael J. Copps, a Democrat, for a new five-year term, starting last July 1. Both appointments are subject to US Senate confirmation.

"If confirmed, Debi Tate will be an excellent addition to the Commission," said Martin. "She has a distinguished career in state government, and she has worked closely with the Commission in her role as Director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority." An attorney, Tate, 49, graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Law and attended Vanderbilt School of Law. In 2003 she was appointed to serve on the FCC's Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services when the Commission expanded that body.

Martin said he also looked forward to continuing to work closely with Copps, who has served on the FCC the past four years. "I respect his insight and thoughtfulness on issues before the Commission," Martin added.

Since Martin, a member during the Powell regime, took over the chairmanship, the political balance on the Commission has been split evenly between two Republicans and two Democrats. Members of a president's political party hold a majority on the FCC.

Another FCC opening is looming. Republican Kathleen Q. Abernathy is obliged to step down when the current session of the US Senate expires, probably later this year. She's been on the FCC since 2001.

For his part, Copps, 65, said he was "deeply honored" that President Bush had named him to another term and said it would be a privilege to continue serving on the FCC. "I look forward to working with Congress, the Administration, the Chairman of the FCC and my fellow Commissioners to help bring the best, most accessible, and cost-effective communications system in the world to all of our people," Copps said in a statement. Jonathan Adelstein is the other Democrat on the Commission.

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