Senate Confirms Clyburn to Full FCC Term

Republican FTC commissioner Joshua Wright also confirmed

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/2/2013 9:22:39 AM

The Senate Tuesday approved the renomination of FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn, this time for a full five-year term retroactive to July 1, 2012, when her current term expired.

She had been serving out the term of commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who exited to join the Department of Agriculture.

The renomination had been held up after the death of Commerce Committee member Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) forced the committee to postpone a vote. Had the nomination not been voted before Thursday's seating of a new Congress, Clyburn would have had to have a new hearing in the Commerce Committee.

"I am so pleased that the Senate has approved Commissioner Clyburn's renomination to the FCC," said FCC chairman Julius Genachowski in a statement. "Commissioner Clyburn is an excellent and dedicated public servant and has been a strong advocate in seeking to extend the benefits of broadband to all Americans. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Commissioner Clyburn and congratulate her on her new term."

FCC senior Republican Robert McDowell added his praise for her return.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my colleague, Mignon Clyburn, on her confirmation by the U.S. Senate for another term.  While serving as a Commissioner, Mignon has proven to be a passionate advocate for her priorities. At the same time, she has been willing to work towards bipartisan consensus on several important issues, such as finding compromise on our comprehensive reforms of universal service. It has been a privilege working with her and I am delighted that her confirmation will give the American people five more years of her exemplary public service."

Also confirmed Tuesday was new Republican Federal Trade Commissioner Joshua Wright for a seven-year term.