Washington - Oct 31, 2011 - President Obama nominated Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel and Republican Ajit Varadaraj Pai to the Federal Communications Commission. Both have established careers on Capitol Hill and have been advisers to the FCC.

Rosenworcel serves as a senior staffer to the Senate Commerce Committee. She has worked for Committee Chairman Sen. John "Jay" Rockefeller (D-WV.) since 2009. She will replace current Democrat Michael J. Copps, to whom she has previously served as an adviser. Copps' term ends this year.

Pai is a partner in the law firm Jenner and Block. He previously served in the office of general counsel at the FCC for former Chairman Kevin Martin. Pai has served as chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on the constitution, civil rights and property rights. If confirmed he will fill the seat vacated by Republican Meredith Attwell Baker when she resigned to join Comcast in May 2011. Baker's term would have expired in June 2011 had she not left.

The two nominations are now sent to the Senate for confirmation. The process could be complete within the next few weeks.