Senate Confirms Adelstein

Ten months after being nominated by President Bush to serve as the 5th FCC commissioner, Jonathan Adelstein, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The aide to Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., will fill out the balance of Gloria Tristani’s term to June 30 of next year. Tristani left the FCC to run for the U.S. Senate. She lost to incumbent Pete Domenici, R-N.M., for the seat.
Adelstein’s nomination was one of several held up in partisan bickering.
Still undecided is Adelstein’s swearing-in ceremony and when he will actually report to work at the agency.
NAB supported the nomination and is “delighted” with the confirmation. “Jonathan’s background in public service and his firm grasp of broadcasting and telecommunications issues will serve him well at the commission,” said NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts. “We look forward to working with him.”
With Adelstein on board, the FCC will be back up to its full complement of 5 commissioners and Michael Copps will no longer be the sole Democrat in the group. Copps said, “It’s a happy day for me and for the commission.”