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FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. Photo: FCC
Brendan Carr is now chairman of the FCC after President Trump signed an executive order designating Carr to the position on his first day in office on Jan. 20.
Trump previously announced in November that Carr would lead the FCC during his administration. Carr does not require Senate confirmation for the position because he is in the middle of a term; the FCC confirmed Carr for a new five-year term as a commissioner in May of 2023. The president designates one FCC commissioner to serve as chairman.
Carr previewed his FCC priorities in a statement on Monday: “The FCC has important work ahead — on issues ranging from tech and media regulation to unleashing new opportunities for jobs and growth through agency actions on spectrum, infrastructure, and the space economy. We will also advance America’s national security interests and protect consumers.”
Carr replaces Jessica Rosenworcel, who stepped down with the administration change. Rosenworcel’s term was set to end at the end of June 2025.
Last week, Trump nominated Olivia Trusty as a Republican commissioner to fill Rosenworcel’s seat. Trusty’s nomination will require FCC confirmation.
The Satellite Industry Association issued a statement congratulating Carr as the FCC’s new leader.
“Chairman Carr has served with the FCC for over a decade and as commissioner has been an integral part of the FCC’s leadership focus on the commercial space industry,” SIA President Tom Stroup said. “As the industry continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, SIA and its members look forward to continuing to work with the chairman and the entire commission to further expand the growth of satellite broadband connectivity and all space-based services provided by commercial satellites.”
Carr will likely impact how the FCC works with satellite operators. He has called for a new look at how satellite broadband is treated by the FCC in broadband programs, and has criticized how the FCC dropped funding for SpaceX’s Starlink constellation in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
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