FCC's Abernathy to depart Dec. 9.(FAST TRACK)(Federal Communications Commission)(Kathleen Abernathy )(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, November, 2005 by Eggerton, John

FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy has sent her resignation to President George W. Bush, saying she will leave Dec. 9, 2005. The White House has expressed its intention to nominate Democrat Michael Copps to a second term and Tennessee regulatory utility commissioner Deborah Tate to the vacant Republican seat of former Chairman Michael Powell.

But there has been no nominee for Abernathy's seat, which she must give up by the end of this legislative session. It is unlikely a new commissioner will be installed by the end of the year, say people familiar with the FCC.