Carr, Starks reconfirmed to new FCC terms

U.S. senators confirmed FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks to new terms, meaning that no one on the current five-member FCC will be forced to leave the agency during the next two years based on term expiration.

Carr, a Republican, and Starks, a Democrat, were confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on Saturday. Democrat Anna Gomez was confirmed to her first FCC term on Sept. 7, resulting in the FCC have five members for the first time since President Joe Biden was inaugurated in January 2021.

Although the confirmations of Starks and Carr were expected, it was especially significant for Starks, who would have had to vacate his FCC seat when Congress ends its legislative session this year after his term officially expired in June 2022.

“I am deeply honored to serve another term on the Federal Communications Commission,” Starks said in a prepared statement. “Day in and day out, this agency helps build a more innovative, secure, and equitable America. I’m thrilled to continue advancing that mission on behalf of the American public—and on a Commission that is operating at full strength.”

Carr’s term officially expired this June, but he could have served on the FCC until the end of the 2024 session of Congress.

““I want to express my thanks and appreciation to President Biden for nominating me to a new, five-year term on the FCC and to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for his recommendation,” Carr said in a prepared statement. “I am honored that the Senate confirmed me unanimously today.  Serving on the Commission is a tremendous privilege, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue working for the American people.”

With the new confirmation, Starks’ FCC term expires at the end of June 2027, with the potential of serving until the 2028 Congress ends its session. Carr’s new FCC term expires at the end of June 2028, with the potential of serving until the 2029 Congress ends its session.

Republican FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington is the only member of the FCC scheduled to have a term expire next year—at the end of June—but he could serve until Congress ends its 2025 session.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who was confirmed to her third FCC term in December 2021, congratulated Carr and Starks on their Senate confirmations and expressed optimism about the work the FCC can accomplish with five members.

“With a complete Senate-confirmed Commission, the FCC is now ready to take on our full slate of work and fulfill our commitment to ensuring Americans everywhere have access to the best, most reliable communication services in the world,” Rosenworcel said in a prepared statement.