Washington - Jul 24, 2009 - Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell Baker have been confirmed by the Senate to occupy the remaining two seats on the FCC. They could assume their new posts as early as next week, which would bring the agency's commissioner count to a full five.
The confirmation was made the afternoon of July 24 by unanimous consent, which means a direct vote was not taken.
Clyburn and Baker had their nomination hearings on July 15. Both apparently did well, as they received praise from members of both parties.
Baker is the former acting head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Clyburn is a South Carolina utility regulator and daughter of House Majority Whip James Clyburn.
Baker fulfills the unexpired term of former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, which runs through June 30, 2011. Clyburn gets a full five years, taking the seat vacated by Deborah Taylor Tate, whose term expired in January, 2009.
Separately but in the same unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed former FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein to head the Agriculture Department's Rural Utilities Service.