Press Release
Issa Responds to Public Outcry over Baker Departure, Questions FCC
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- House Oversight Committee Chair Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski questioning the conduct of outgoing Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who announced last week she would be leaving the agency to become a lobbyist for Comcast-NBC. Issa’s letter suggested that the FCC’s approval of the Comcast-NBC merger was so closely timed to Baker’s announcement that public trust in the integrity of the Commission had been damaged.
Since Baker’s announcement, Free Press and CREDO Action have collected more than 130,000 letters seeking a congressional investigation into Baker’s departure and apparent conflict of interest.
Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:
“We’re pleased to see that Chair Issa has responded to the many Americans who are deeply troubled by the revolving door between Comcast and the FCC exemplified by Commissioner Baker’s jaw-droppingly fast transition from regulator to lobbyist.
“We hope this letter is just the start — and that Congress will launch a serious inquiry that goes beyond the five basic questions asked here. As Chair Issa suggests, the American people deserve to know whether their public servants are truly serving them, or just auditioning for industry jobs. We hope Chair Issa gives them the investigation they’ve demanded, and the one they deserve.”
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Since Baker’s announcement, Free Press and CREDO Action have collected more than 130,000 letters seeking a congressional investigation into Baker’s departure and apparent conflict of interest.
Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:
“We’re pleased to see that Chair Issa has responded to the many Americans who are deeply troubled by the revolving door between Comcast and the FCC exemplified by Commissioner Baker’s jaw-droppingly fast transition from regulator to lobbyist.
“We hope this letter is just the start — and that Congress will launch a serious inquiry that goes beyond the five basic questions asked here. As Chair Issa suggests, the American people deserve to know whether their public servants are truly serving them, or just auditioning for industry jobs. We hope Chair Issa gives them the investigation they’ve demanded, and the one they deserve.”
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