Bush Nominates 2 Republicans, Democrat to FCC

President Bush nominated two Republicans on Friday to fill vacancies on the Federal Communications Commission, giving newly appointed FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell strong political allies in his pursuit to streamline the agency and deregulate the communications industry.

Bush said he planned to appoint Kevin J. Martin, currently special assistant to the president for economic policy, and Kathleen Q. Abernathy, a telecommunications lobbyist, to the five-member commission, filling openings created by the departures of FCC Chairman William E. Kennard and Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth.

The president also named a Democrat to the commission. Michael J. Copps, who worked on trade issues in the Clinton administration’s Commerce Department and served as an aide to Sen. Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.), will take the seat being vacated by Democrat Susan Ness.

“Each of the three nominees . . . will bring important experience and expertise to the commission, and I welcome the opportunity to carry out the responsibilities of the FCC with them,” Powell said.

Historically, the majority of seats on the FCC are controlled by the political party that holds the White House. After Bush’s election, Kennard, a Democrat, stepped down.

The nominations, which must be confirmed by the Senate, will bring the first Republican majority to the agency in eight years.

“This is going to mean a more orderly and more deregulatory FCC,” said Scott Cleland, a regulatory analyst at Precursor Group in Washington.

Cleland said the Republican majority would make it easier for Powell to pursue his agenda of making the FCC more efficient and responsive to the industries it regulates. Powell also has also vowed to reduce red tape and eliminate regulations.

Martin, whose term would expire in 2006, worked at the FCC for Furchtgott-Roth until joining the Bush campaign as a legal advisor.

Abernathy, vice president for public policy at BroadBand Office Communications, worked as a lobbyist at AirTouch Communications from 1993 to 1998. She also served at the FCC from 1992 to 1993 as legal advisor to Commissioner Sherrie Marshall and as legal advisor to former Chairman James Quello. Her term would expire in 2005.

Copps was the Commerce Department’s assistant secretary for trade development from 1998 to 2001. From 1989 to 1993, he was senior vice president of the American Meat Institute. His term would expire in 2004.