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QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 25  ARLB025
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  October 31, 2013
To all radio amateurs 

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ARLB025 FCC Back to Full Complement

The Federal Communications Commission once again has its full
complement of five commissioners. On Tuesday, the US Senate
confirmed the White House nomination of venture capitalist and
industry insider Thomas Wheeler, a Democrat, to be FCC chairman. He
succeeds former FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who stepped down in
June. The Senate also confirmed Michael O'Rielly as a commissioner
to one of the two Republican seats on the Commission. O'Rielly, a
New Yorker who is on the staff of Texas Republican Senator John
Cornyn, would fill the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2014,
that had been held by Robert M. McDowell, who resigned in May.
Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon L. Clyburn, who now will return to her
seat as a commissioner, congratulated Wheeler and O'Rielly on their
confirmations.

"Tom brings a tremendous depth of experience, talent, and knowledge
that will serve him well as the leader of this critically important
agency," Clyburn said in a statement. "I have no doubt that he will
be an outstanding FCC Chairman. With his extensive public policy
expertise and understanding of the communications landscape, Michael
will certainly be an invaluable asset to the Commission."

Wheeler also served as a wireless and cable industry lobbyist. He
was president of the National Cable Television association from 1979
until 1984.

Senate politics had held the FCC to just three members since last
spring. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz had blocked Wheeler's
nomination vote over concerns that the FCC might adopt new political
TV advertising disclosure rules. Cruz says that Wheeler told him
that the issue was not a priority.
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