S.C. Democrat Picked to Fill FCC Vacancy

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Friday, May 1, 2009

The Obama administration this week nominated Mignon Clyburn to a vacant Democratic seat on the Federal Communications Commission.

Clyburn is a member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission and a daughter of House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.).

Her nomination leaves one position to be filled on the five-seat federal commission, which has been charged with creating a plan this year to bring broadband Internet to every home in the nation.

The administration has not forwarded to the Senate its pick to head the commission, Julius Genachowski. Industry insiders and Capitol Hill staffers say the White House wants to wait to send Genachowski's nomination as part of a package, along with Clyburn and a yet-to-be nominated Republican commissioner.

Republican senators are said to be in disagreement, however, over a pick for the minority slot.

-- Cecilia Kang