Pai
won confirmation by 52-41 over objections from Democrats, who
criticized him for moving to deregulate U.S. telecommunications
rules. Republicans praised him for taking steps to boost rural
internet service.
The former Justice Department, FCC and Capitol Hill staffer has
been moving swiftly to undo many of the regulations adopted by
the FCC during the Obama administration since assuming the
chairmanship and vowed in December to take a "weed whacker" to
unneeded rules.
Pai pledged in a statement on Monday to continue to focus "on
bridging the digital divide, promoting innovation, protecting
consumers and public safety, and making the FCC more open and
transparent."
He joined the FCC as a commissioner in March 2012 and was
elevated to chairman by President Donald Trump in January.
In April, Pai proposed overturning the 2015 net neutrality
rules, with a final vote expected later this year.
Pai "has established a clear record of favoring big corporations
at the expense of consumers, innovators, and small businesses,"
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said.
The rules, which the FCC put in place under Democratic President
Barack Obama, prohibit broadband providers from giving or
selling access to a speedier internet - essentially a "fast
lane."
Senator John Thune, a Republican who chairs the Commerce
Committee, praised Pai's proposal to withdraw the Obama internet
rules and "rebalance its regulatory posture."
The rules reclassified internet service providers much like
utilities. They were favored by web companies like Facebook Inc,
Alphabet Inc and others, which said they would guarantee equal
access to the internet.
Internet providers such as AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc
and Comcast Corp argue the net neutrality rules make investment
in additional capacity less likely and could lead to rate
regulation.
In April, the FCC voted 2-1 for Pai's proposal to reverse a 2016
decision that limits the number of television stations some
broadcasters can buy.
That cleared the way for Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc's proposed
$3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media Co. Senator Elizabeth
Warren on Monday criticized Pai for "working for the most
powerful communications corporations" and making it easier for
the Sinclair deal to proceed.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and
Peter Cooney)
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