Senate to hold hearing for Genachowski June 16

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a confirmation hearing June 16 to consider Julius Genachowski's nomination to be the next chairman of the FCC.

[1]The committee also will consider the nomination of current FCC commissioner Robert McDowell for another term. President Obama recently signalled his intention to nominate McDowell for one of the two Republican seats on the five-member commission.

Obama nominated Genachowski for the post in early March. Genachowski's confirmation hearing originally was scheduled for May 12, but then postponed. FCC commissioner Michael Copps has been serving as the acting chairman of the commission, and has primarily focused on the DTV transition, scheduled for June 12. 

Genachowksi is expected to initially focus on expanding broadband access and perhaps addressing the net neutrality debate.

According to a Reuters report, the committee likely will hold a confirmation hearing for Mignon Clyburn for the open Democratic seat and Meredith Attwell Baker for the last Republican seat. The Obama administration has yet to formally nominate Baker, a former Commerce Department official.

For more:
- see this Reuters article [2]

Related Articles:
Obama to nominate McDowell for another FCC term [3]
FCC logjam may end soon [4]
Genachowski's nomination delayed until after Memorial Day [5]
Senate moving on Genachowski nomination next week [6]
Obama to nominate Mignon Clyburn for FCC seat [7]
[8]Obama officially nominates Genachowski [1] to head FCC