Jessica Rosenworcel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessica Rosenworcel
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Rosenworcel in 2018
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| Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 Acting: January 20, 2021 – October 26, 2021 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Ajit Pai |
| Succeeded by | Brendan Carr |
| Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission | |
| In office August 11, 2017 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Herself |
| Succeeded by | Olivia Trusty |
| In office May 11, 2012 – January 3, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Michael Copps |
| Succeeded by | Herself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1971 West Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Brian Rosenworcel (brother) |
| Education | Wesleyan University (BA) New York University (JD) |
Jessica Rosenworcel (born July 12, 1971) is an American lawyer. She served as a leader and member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is a government agency that makes rules for things like TV, radio, and the internet.
Jessica Rosenworcel first joined the FCC in May 2012. She served until January 2017. Later, she was confirmed by the United States Senate for another term in August 2017. In January 2021, she became the acting chair of the FCC. She was then named the permanent chair in October 2021. The Senate confirmed her for another term in December 2021. She left the FCC in January 2025.
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Early Life and Education
Jessica Rosenworcel was born to Willa and Elliot Rosenworcel. She grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut. In 1989, she finished high school at Hall High School.
She went to Wesleyan University and graduated in 1993. She earned a degree in economics and English literature. After that, she studied law at the New York University School of Law. She finished her law degree in 1997.
Career Journey
After law school, Jessica Rosenworcel worked at a law firm. She focused on laws related to communications. In 1999, she started working for the FCC. She later worked for an FCC Commissioner named Michael Copps.
From 2007, she was a Senior Communications Counsel for a special committee in the United States Senate. This committee deals with business, science, and transportation.
Working at the FCC
President Barack Obama first suggested Jessica Rosenworcel for the FCC in October 2011. Her approval took several months. This was because a senator wanted the FCC to release some documents.
She was approved by the United States Senate on May 7, 2012. She officially started her job on May 11, 2012. In July 2012, a news group called Politico named her one of 50 people to watch. They said she was "whip-smart and intensely serious."
FCC commissioners can keep serving until a replacement is found. In May 2015, President Obama nominated her for a second term. However, the Senate did not approve her in time. So, she had to leave her seat in January 2017.
In June 2017, President Donald Trump nominated her for another term. The Senate approved her on August 3, 2017.
After Joe Biden became president, he chose Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the FCC. She became the acting chairwoman in January 2021. This made her the second woman to hold this role. President Biden later named her the permanent FCC Chairwoman in October 2021. She became the first woman to hold this permanent position. The Senate confirmed her again on December 7, 2021. She left the FCC in January 2025.
Jessica Rosenworcel also led a group that helped the FCC talk with state and local groups. This group discussed how to improve telecommunications services. In 2022, she announced plans to create a "space bureau" within the FCC. This new group would help manage the growing number of satellites.
Key Ideas and Goals
During her time at the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel supported several important ideas:
- Net Neutrality: She voted to keep the internet fair for everyone. This meant preventing internet companies from creating "fast lanes" for some websites. She believed everyone should have equal access online.
- Broadband Access: She worked to change the definition of "broadband" to a faster speed. This helped more people get better internet.
- Helping Low-Income Families: She supported programs like LifeLine. This program helps people with lower incomes get internet access.
- Stopping Robocalls: She worked to protect people from unwanted automated calls. In 2019, she said the FCC should make phone companies offer free call-blocking services. In March 2021, she started a plan to fight robocalls. This included giving out big fines and creating a special team.
- Closing the Homework Gap: She created the term "homework gap". This describes how some students cannot do their homework because they do not have internet at home. She worked to connect schools and libraries to high-speed internet. She also focused on helping students get online outside of school.
- Improving 911 Calls: She supported ways to make 911 calls from cell phones more accurate. She also supported expanding FirstNet. This is a special wireless network for emergency services workers.
Personal Life
Jessica Rosenworcel lives in Washington, D.C.. She lives with her husband and their two children. Her brother is Brian Rosenworcel, who is a drummer for the band Guster. She is Jewish.
