Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he will be stepping down from his position on Inauguration Day.
Pai, who was confirmed to head the commission in 2017, revealed on Monday his intent to resign on Jan. 20. In a statement, he called his time at the FCC an “honor of a lifetime,” and thanked President Trump, President Barack Obama, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“I also deeply appreciate the chance to have worked alongside the FCC’s talented staff. They are the agency’s best assets, and they have performed heroically, especially during the pandemic,” Pai said. “It’s also been an honor to work with my fellow Commissioners to execute a strong and broad agenda. Together, we’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety. And this FCC has not shied away from making tough choices.”
His departure means that the FCC, which currently has a Republican majority, could reach a Democratic majority sooner than previously expected. Pai’s term was supposed to end next June. While Biden can select a replacement for him once he’s in office, commissioners need Senate confirmation.
In his statement, Pai expressed pride in reforms put in place, making the FCC more transparent and accountable with the public, as well as improving its productivity.
“I am proud of how productive this Commission has been, from commencing five spectrum auctions and two rural broadband reverse auctions in four years, to opening 1,245 megahertz of mid-band spectrum for unlicensed use, to adopting more than 25 orders through our Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, to aggressively protecting our communications networks from national security threats at home and abroad, to designating 988 as the three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and much, much more,” he said.
Under Pai’s leadership, the FCC voted down net neutrality, which previously prevented internet providers from providing slower traffic to particular sites.
