Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRMAN PAI APPOINTS PAUL JACKSON TO LEAD 
FCC’S CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS TEAM
Chairman Thanks Director Tim Strachan for His Hard Work and Leadership 
in the Office of Legislative Affairs
  -- 
WASHINGTON, January 13, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today announced his intent to appoint Paul A. Jackson as director of the FCC’s Office of Legislative Affairs.  Jackson will replace Tim Strachan, who will continue his work at the FCC in the Office of General Counsel. 

“Our two-way communications with Congress are essential to succeeding in our mission for the American people,” said Chairman Pai.  “The FCC takes very seriously not only Congress’s input on our work, but our responsibility to keep them informed about our efforts and to provide expert advice when asked to do so.  Paul’s deep policy experience at the FCC and on Capitol Hill is a great asset.  I thank him for his willingness to take on this important task and to serve as our point person in working with Congress.” 

Jackson has worked in Congress and the private sector – and has twice served at the FCC, including returning to the agency last year as associate bureau chief of the Media Bureau.  Prior to joining the agency, he worked at the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, and he previously worked in the U.S. Senate.  Jackson first joined the FCC in 1997 as special assistant to then-Commissioner Michael Powell.  Next, he served as deputy director of the Office of Legislative Affairs from 2001 to 2004, including a period as acting director of the office.  Jackson then held senior public policy and strategic advocacy positions, including as director of government relations with News Corporation and as a principal at a government relations and consulting firm.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. 

Chairman Pai also thanked Tim Strachan for his excellent work as director of the Office of Legislative Affairs over the last three years: “I’m grateful to Tim for his hard work, leadership, and wise counsel over the years.  He has been a rock-solid leader throughout his tenure, including on high-profile issues like spectrum policy and restoring Internet freedom, and his outstanding work in helping the FCC’s expert staff make impactful contributions to important legislation like the MOBILE NOW Act and RAY BAUM’S Act will be long-lasting and meaningful.  He has helped me prepare for hearings with an unparalleled wisdom, humility, and humor.  He’s been an invaluable resource for the FCC and a good friend to me for a decade-and-a-half.”

The Office of Legislative Affairs is tasked with managing all communications to and from Congress on behalf of the FCC.  The office helps the agency’s senior leadership respond to inquiries from Congress.  They also help facilitate FCC expert staff in providing guidance to legislators and Congressional staff on policies and technology that the FCC deals with regularly.  More information about the office, including the Chairman’s letters to Congress, are available at: https://www.fcc.gov/legislative-affairs 

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).