White House to Tap Virginian as Fifth FCC Member

NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 3, 2006--President George W. Bush has announced his intention to nominate Republican Robert M. McDowell of Virginia to serve on the FCC for the remainder of a five-year term expiring June 30, 2009. If confirmed by the US Senate, McDowell--a telecommunications attorney--would bring the Commission back to its statutory five-member complement. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin applauded the president's announcement.

"If confirmed, Rob McDowell will be a great asset to the Commission," Martin said in a statement. "He has a wealth of knowledge in the communications arena, and we will rely on his insight when evaluating the issues before us."

When Martin took over as FCC chairman last year, the political balance on the Commission was split evenly between two Republicans and two Democrats. Republican Kathleen Abernathy departed in December, while Republican Deborah T. Tate officially came aboard January 3. Democrat Michael J. Copps was sworn in for another term the same day. The other Democrat is Jonathan Adelstein.

McDowell currently serves as senior vice president and assistant general counsel for the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel). Prior to that he served as executive vice president and general counsel for the America's Carriers Telecommunications Association.

A cum laude graduate of Duke University, McDowell received his law degree from the College of William and Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law.

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