Chairman Ajit Pai Announces Departure From FCC On January 20th

Pai

FCC Chairman AJIT PAI has made it official, announcing MONDAY (11/30) that he will leave the Commission on JANUARY 20th, with the end of the TRUMP administration signaling a coming Democratic majority on the panel.

PAI wrote, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years. I am grateful to President TRUMP for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President OBAMA for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012, and to Senate Majority Leader MCCONNELL and the SENATE for twice confirming me. To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in AMERICA.

“I also deeply appreciate the chance to have worked alongside the FCC’s talented staff," he continued. "They are the agency’s best assets, and they have performed heroically, especially during the pandemic. It’s also been an honor to work with my fellow Commissioners to execute a strong and broad agenda. Together, we’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety. And this FCC has not shied away from making tough choices. As a result, our nation’s communications networks are now faster, stronger, and more widely deployed than ever before.  

“I am proud of how productive this Commission has been, from commencing five spectrum auctions and two rural broadband reverse auctions in four years, to opening 1,245 megahertz of mid-band spectrum for unlicensed use, to adopting more than 25 orders through our Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, to aggressively protecting our communications networks from national security threats at home and abroad, to designating 988 as the three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and much, much more. I’m also proud of the reforms we have instituted to make the agency more accountable to the American people. In particular, for the first time ever, we’ve made public drafts of the proposals and orders slated for a vote three weeks before the agency’s monthly meetings, making this the most transparent FCC in history.

“Last but not least, I want to thank my family for all they have done to enable me to serve at the agency. The public service of one generally results from the private sacrifice of many, and I’m grateful for their love and support.”

Discussion of PAI's replacement has centered on Democratic Commissioner JESSICA ROSENWORCEL and former Commissioner MIGNON CLYBURN.

NAB, Other FCC Commissioners React

NAB Pres./CEO GORDON SMITH said, “Chairman PAI has been a champion of free and local broadcasting since he joined the FCC. His fair, thoughtful approach to regulation led to many common-sense reforms that were long overdue. Most notably, Chairman PAI modernized the Commission’s media ownership rules, authorized and promoted the transition to the Next Gen TV transmission standard, helped revitalize the AM radio band and cleared out some significant regulatory underbrush that was no longer in the public interest.

"Apart from his many policy advances, Chairman PAI also demonstrated great leadership, creativity, a sense of humor and always had an open door. America’s broadcasters thank Chairman PAI for his public service to the benefit of the millions of viewers and listeners who tune in to their local radio and TV stations every day.”

The two Democrats on the FCC issued brief statements about PAI's announcement. ROSENWORCEL wrote, "While we did not always agree on policy matters, I always valued our shared commitment to public service.  Serving the American people is a tremendous honor and I wish him the best in the future." Commissioner GEOFFREY STARKS wrote, "Chairman PAI and I may disagree on many policy issues, but we are in full agreement about two things: the outstanding quality of the FCC’s staff and the tremendous abilities of PATRICK MAHOMES.  I wish AJIT the best of luck on the road ahead.”

PAI's fellow Republicans on the panel were more effusive, with outgoing Commissioner MIKE O'RIELLY saying that PAI's Commission "ushered in many policy advancements and made strides updating communications regulations, from restoring the Commission’s successful light-touch regulatory framework for Internet service providers to modernizing media rules, opening up more spectrum bands for commercial use, and expanding broadband access to unserved Americans.  I wish him all the best in the next stage of his career and thank him for his great service to our nation.”  And Commissioner BRENDAN CARR wrote that PAI "will leave behind an unapparelled record of accomplishments—one that would not even fit in his over-sized coffee mug," praising PAI for his work on the introduction of 5G, reducing the "digital divide," national security, and his "personal connection with countless people at the agency," adding that PAI "s one of the most kind and earnest people you could hope to meet."

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