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 | Vacant |
| 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 has served as a leader at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is a government agency that makes rules for things like phones, radio, TV, and the internet.
Jessica Rosenworcel first worked at the FCC from 2012 to 2017. She was then chosen again in 2017. In 2021, she became the acting chairwoman, and later the permanent chairwoman. This made her the first woman to hold this top job at the FCC.
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Early Life and Education
Jessica Rosenworcel grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut. She finished Hall High School in 1989.
She then went to Wesleyan University. She earned a degree in economics and English in 1993. After that, she studied law at New York University School of Law. She became a lawyer in 1997.
Working at the FCC
After law school, Rosenworcel worked as a lawyer. She focused on laws about communication. In 1999, she joined the FCC. She later worked for an FCC Commissioner named Michael Copps.
From 2007, she worked for a committee in the United States Senate. This committee deals with business, science, and transportation. She helped senators like John D. Rockefeller IV with communication issues.
Becoming an FCC Commissioner
President Barack Obama first chose Jessica Rosenworcel for the FCC in 2011. The United States Senate approved her in May 2012. She started her job on May 11, 2012.
In 2015, President Obama nominated her for a second term. However, the Senate did not approve her in time. She had to leave her position in January 2017.
Later in 2017, President Donald Trump nominated her again. The Senate approved her, and she returned to the FCC on August 3, 2017.
Leading the FCC
When Joe Biden became president, he chose Rosenworcel to lead the FCC. She became the acting chairwoman in January 2021. This made her the second woman to hold this role.
In October 2021, President Biden named her the permanent FCC Chairwoman. She was the first woman to hold this top position permanently. The Senate confirmed her again in December 2021. She left the FCC in January 2025.
As Chairwoman, Rosenworcel worked on many important projects. She helped create a new "space bureau" within the FCC. This bureau helps manage the growing number of satellites.
Important Ideas and Goals
Jessica Rosenworcel has strong views on how the internet and communication should work.
Net Neutrality
She believes in net neutrality. This idea means that all internet traffic should be treated equally. Internet providers should not be able to slow down or block certain websites. They also should not charge more for faster access to some sites.
Rosenworcel said, "We cannot have a two-tiered Internet with fast lanes that speed the traffic of the privileged and leave the rest of us lagging behind." She wants everyone to have fair access to the internet.
Fighting Robocalls
Rosenworcel has worked hard to stop unwanted robocalls. These are annoying automated phone calls. In 2019, she said that phone companies should offer free services to block these calls.
In March 2021, she started a plan to fight robocalls. This plan includes giving big fines to companies that make illegal calls. It also involves a special team to respond to robocall problems.
Closing the Homework Gap
Rosenworcel is a big supporter of connecting schools and libraries to high-speed internet. She also came up with the term "homework gap". This term describes students who cannot do their homework because they do not have internet access at home. She wants to make sure all students can get online, even when they are not at school.
Improving Emergency Calls
She also supports making 911 calls from cell phones more accurate. This means emergency services can find people faster. She also supports expanding FirstNet. This is a special wireless network for emergency services workers.
Personal Life
Jessica Rosenworcel lives in Washington, D.C.. She lives there with her husband and their two children. Her brother is Brian Rosenworcel, who is the drummer for the band Guster.
She is Jewish.
