Bush nominates Tate for another term at FCC

President Bush said he intends to nominate Republican Deborah Taylor Tate to another term at the Federal Communications Commission.
Tate, a former Tennessee regulator who is serving out an abridged FCC term that ends June 30, would have a full, five-year term that expires June 30, 2012. But it is unclear whether Democrats, which control the House and Senate, will be in any hurry to act on Bush’s re-appointment of Tate ahead of the 2008 presidential election.
Tate has been a reliable vote for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, and as head of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, has teamed up with Martin in trying to cap high-cost federal support for wireless carriers in rural areas. The wireless industry opposes the proposal.
“If confirmed, I look forward to continuing to work closely with commissioner Tate,” Martin said in a prepared statement. “She has served admirably at the commission for the past year and a half, and I appreciate her continued dedication to public service. Debi brings important insight to the commission, including her distinguished career as a leader in state government. Her thoughtfulness, dedication and leadership have made Debi an invaluable member of the commission.”