Senate Committee to Consider McDowell Nomination to FCC

Members of the Senate Commerce Committee meet Thursday to consider the nomination of Robert McDowell to be an FCC commissioner.
Like chairman Kevin Martin, McDowell has worked for the Administration: serving as counsel to the Bush-Cheney Florida Recount Team in 2000 and leading advance teams for President and Mrs. Bush in 2004. McDowell is a graduate of Duke University, as is the agency chairman.
The White House signaled its intention Feb. 3 to nominate the telephony attorney.
McDowell is senior vice president and assistant general counsel with CompTel, which represents many Bell competitors, including Internet phone providers.
If confirmed by the Senate, the Republican would bring the agency back to its full complement of five commissioners.