Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA) sent a letter to Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai today congratulating him on his appointment, and asking him to make several commitments that will increase the likelihood of a successful term.
“By some measures, the FCC oversees approximately one sixth of the United States economy," the members wrote to Pai. “Your success at managing such a critical agency is dependent on your ability to be responsive to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle; your willingness to drive towards consensus on major Commission actions; and your respect for career staff-the lifeblood of the agency."
In the letter the members asked Pai to make three key commitments during his tenure as Chairman of the FCC:
1. You will ensure that the Commission will brief relevant Committee leadership-no matter their party-on all major decisions before the Commission acts and that you will be responsive to all Congressional inquiries.
2. You will work with your colleagues in a bi-partisan fashion to reach consensus before moving ahead with major policy decisions.
3. You will not take any effort to retaliate against, undermine, demote or marginalize civil servants on the basis of their analysis or their work under previous Commission leadership.
