Policymakers

FCC Setting Up Precision Agriculture Task Force

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) intends to establish a Federal Advisory Committee, known as the ‘‘Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States." The FCC intends to establish the charter on or before December 19, 2019, providing the Task Force with authorization to operate for two years. In consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and in collaboration with public and private stakeholders in the agriculture and technology fields, the purpose of the Task Force is to:

Chairman Pai Appoints Evan Swarztrauber As Policy Advisor

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that Evan Swarztrauber has joined his office as a Policy Advisor. Swarztrauber starts Sept 30 in his new role and replaces Nathan Leamer, who recently left the FCC. Swarztrauber previously worked for FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr as a Policy Advisor on media issues. He also hosts the FCC’s official podcast. Prior to joining the FCC, he was Director of Public Affairs at TechFreedom, managing the organization’s communications and outreach teams, and representing the organization in a diverse array of coalitions.

2019 Internet Hall of Fame Inuctees Announced

Eleven individuals hailing from six countries around the world, including Peru, Japan, Brazil, Netherlands, Togo and the US, are being inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame for their pioneering and visionary contributions to the Internet’s global growth, access and security. The 2019 inductees: 

Nathan Leamer Leaves FCC

Nathan Leamer, policy adviser to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, has left the agency after nearly three years. Leamer is taking up a new role at Targeted Victory. That's the Arlington-based firm once called "the biggest player in Republican digital politics." It's headed by Zac Moffatt, who made his name as the digital director of the 2012 Romney presidential campaign.

Upgrading the Office of Tech Assessment

With Congress inching toward reopening its long-shuttered Office of Technology Assessment, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to fix what critics say were the office’s flaws back before it was defunded by Newt Gingrich-led Republicans in the 1990s.

Tech Firms Need More Regulation

In contrast to prior technological eras—marked by inventions such as the railroad, telephone, automobile, and television—the age of digital technology has progressed for several decades with remarkably little regulation, or even self‑regulation. This hands‑off attide needs to give way to a more activist approach. The greatest risk facing technology firms isn’t overregulation—it’s that government won’t do enough, swiftly enough, to address the technology issues affecting the world.

Doug Kinkoph, Deputy Assistant Secretary, NTIA (Acting), and Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications (OTIA), NTIA

Doug Kinkoph is Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. He also serves as the Associate Administrator of NTIA’s Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications (OTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he directs the BroadbandUSA initiative to promote broadband deployment and adoption across communities nationwide. He has been responsible for overseeing the $4 billion Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and State Broadband Initiative program, resulting from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

FCC Announces Staff Changes in Office of General Counsel

The Federal Communications Commission announced staff changes in the Office of General Counsel. David Gossett will serve as Chief of Staff, Ashley Boizelle will succeed Gossett as Deputy General Counsel for Litigation, and Michael Carlson will succeed Boizelle as Deputy General Counsel for Administrative Law.

Public Knowledge Bolsters Advocacy and Policy Teams to Protect Consumers

Public Knowledge welcomes Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel, and Bertram Lee, Policy Counsel, as new additions to our government affairs and policy teams. Prior to joining Public Knowledge, Leventoff served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Workforce Data Quality Campaign (WDQC) at the National Skills Coalition, where she led WDQC’s state policy advocacy and technical assistance efforts on state data system development and use.

Chairman Pai Announces Jeffrey Prince as New FCC Chief Economist

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of Jeffrey Prince as chief economist of the FCC. Dr. Prince currently serves as a professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. He will begin work at the FCC on Sept 3.

FEC vice chairman heavily involved in tech issues resigns, leaving agency unable to vote

Matthew Petersen, the vice chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump, leaving the agency without the necessary number of commissioners to vote on proposed actions. Petersen, a Republican who has served as a commissioner since 2008, wrote that he will formally step down on Aug 31.  Petersen was heavily involved in technology issues, which he highlighted in his resignation letter.

FCC Announces New Member To The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission announces that Gov Doug Ducey (R-AZ), Chair of the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), has named Ben Blink, Policy Advisor, Transportation and Technology Innovation, as his new designee to the IAC, replacing Kirk Adams, prior designee. The IAC provides guidance, expertise, and recommendations to specific requests from the FCC on a range of issues affecting local, state, and Tribal governments that are within the jurisdiction of the FCC.
 

Senate Confirms Michael Kratsios As New Trump Administration Chief Technology Officer

Through a voice vote, the Senate has unanimously confirmed Michael Kratsios to be President Donald Trump's associate director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), making him the new Chief Technology Officer. President Trump nominated Kratsios as CTO back in March. Kratsios was the deputy CTO as well as deputy assistant to the President for technology policy at the White House, a post he has held since President Trump took office.

Vacancies on FCC's Native Nations Communications Task Force

The Federal Communications Commission seeks nominations to fill three Tribal vacancies on the Native Nations Communications Task Force.  Members appointed by the FCC Chairman to fill the vacancies will serve through the end of the Task Force’s current three-year term, which runs through October 2021. The Task Force’s mission is to make recommendations to the FCC on communications-related issues that affect Tribal interests.

Commissioner Starks Appoints Special Advisor

Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced the appointment of Alisa Valentin as his Special Advisor. “I’m excited that Alisa is joining my team. She brings a strong background of leadership on the issue of internet inequality and, as a native of South Georgia, has personal experience with the impact of the digital divide on rural Americans, particularly in communities of color. I look forward to benefiting from her insights and working with her in the days ahead.”

FCC Announces CSRIC VII Working Groups and Seeks Participants

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission announces the topics and chairs of the six working groups that will assist the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) VII. 

‘It’s a disaster over there’: Department of Commerce reaches new heights of dysfunction

Constant infighting among top officials. Sudden departures of senior staffers without explanation. A leader who is disengaged and prone to falling asleep in meetings. The Commerce Department has reached its apex of dysfunction under Sec Wilbur Ross. The 81-year-old Commerce secretary, who has for months endured whispers that he is on the outs, spends much of his time at the White House to try to retain President Donald Trump’s favor, leaving his department adrift.

Who should keep an eye on Silicon Valley?

The federal government's struggles to rein in Facebook are driving some Democrats and consumer advocates to a stark conclusion: The agency charged with regulating Silicon Valley is not up to the task. The 105-year-old Federal Trade Commission is a main enforcer of Americans' consumer protections but it has only a small fraction of the money and workforce of the nation's largest tech companies — and a privacy staff less than half that of the Irish agency that regulates Facebook's European operations.

FCC Commissioner Carr Staff Announcements

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr thanked Jamie Susskind for her years of public service on her departure from the FCC. Susskind served as Commissioner Carr’s Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor for wireline and consumer issues. Prior to joining Commissioner Carr’s Office, Susskind served in senior roles on Capitol Hill, including as Chief Counsel to Sen Deb Fischer (R-NE) and on the staff of the Senate Commerce Committee under the leadership of then-Chairman John Thune (R-SD).

A largely moribund, sluggish, frightened, alleged watchdog for the American consumer

Ralph Nader wrote in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission's five commissioners saying the agency "remains a largely moribund, sluggish, frightened, alleged watchdog for the American consumer." He offers seven suggestions to improve the FTC:

Department of Commerce Policy Director Earl Comstock on His Way Out

The White House is pushing Commerce policy director Earl Comstock out of the Trump administration -- the first round of house-cleaning after the 2020 census debacle and clashes over tech policy.

Sponsor: 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date: 
Wed, 07/24/2019 - 15:00

The Senate Commerce Committee will consider six nominations including:

  • Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy


FCC Commissioner O'Rielly Named NY State Broadcasters Association New Yorker of Year

Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O'Rielly has been named "New Yorker of the Year" by the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA). O'Rielly, who was born just outside Buffalo (NY), was hailed by the association as "one of the outstanding commissioners in the history of the FCC". “Receiving this award is an incredible honor," Commissioner O'Rielly said.

FCC Announces Membership and July 19 Meeting of the Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council VII

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has appointed members to serve on the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC or Council) VII. The CSRIC will hold its first meeting on July 19. Charlotte Field, senior vice president at Charter Communications, will chair the council.