FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn has announced that she will be stepping down from the commission after running strong advocacy for net neutrality. At a FCC meeting today, she shared her plans to leave the commission. She was appointed to the commission in 2009 by Barack Obama, and held the position of Acting Chairwoman in 2013 prior to Tim Wheeler’s appointment as Chair at FCC.
Clyburn supported and help author the net neutrality regulations that were put in place in 2015, and has been vocally against the repeal. During the FCC vote, she said, “I dissent. I dissent from this fiercely-spun, legally-lightweight, consumer-harming, corporate-enabling Destroying Internet Freedom Order.”
In her statement today, Clyburn said, “It’s been the most incredible opportunity for me. In my wildest dreams, if I could have crafted my destiny, I never would have dreamed of this.” She added, “I’ve done my very best and met the most incredible people on the planet in this building. I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference to people who did not believe government was here to serve. So I want to thank all of you for making that possible and more. I want to thank all of your for raising and nurturing me and honestly, some of the lessons I could have done without, but most of them really, really helped me to be the person I’ve become.” She the received a standing ovation after her announcement.
In reply, Commissioner Rosenworcel said, “”You do it in style. I want to say goodbye to a real dynamo at the FCC. Someone who has been my partner in the public interests. Someone I am proud to call a colleague and a friend. And I want you to know that the things you care about, the fights you fought, and the legacy you leave, I consider it a duty of all of us to make sure it stays intact. So thank you.”
Chairman Ajit Pai said in a tweet, “You leave behind a rich legacy and many friends. Godspeed and thank you for your public service.” He said during the meeting, “You led with distinction and served with honor.”
Congratulations to @MClyburnFCC on your distinguished tenure at the @FCC, including serving as 1st woman to lead the agency! You leave behind a rich legacy and many friends. Godspeed and thank you for your public service.
— Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) April 17, 2018
“I congratulate Commissioner Clyburn on her distinguished tenure at the FCC,” Pai added in an official statement. “She has been a tremendous leader and a committed public servant throughout her time here. As the first woman to head the agency, she led skillfully through a transition and put her on stamp on the commission, including through her steadfast leadership in telehealth, media diversity and digital inclusion. I have enjoyed working with her and, even when we have not seen eye-to-eye on policy, I have always held her candor and thoughtfulness in the highest regard. She’s been a wonderful colleague and friend. I wish her nothing but the best and sincerely thank her for her service.”
Clyburn also noted that she had not informed her parents yet that she would be stepping down today. “I forgot to tell my mom I was doing this so I’m in a lot of trouble,” she said.
