WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today introduced Ajit Pai, a native of Parsons, Kansas, at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing to consider his nomination to be a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

“After meeting with Mr. Pai, and examining his accomplishments, I think any of my colleagues would be hard-pressed to find a more qualified candidate to fill this position,” Roberts said at the hearing. “Mr. Pai’s professional background, both in the government and the private sector, has provided him with an expansive understanding of telecommunications law. Mr. Pai is someone we are proud to call a Kansan, and because of his background growing up in the Midwest he’s sensitive to the importance of communications services for rural Americans.”

Mr. Pai was nominated last month by President Obama to be a commissioner of the FCC. He is a former FCC deputy general counsel and has also worked on communications issues at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate, and Verizon Communications. Currently, Mr. Pai is a partner at the law firm, Jenner & Block LLC, where he represents the communications industry. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and received his law degree from the University of Chicago.

During today’s hearing, Sen. Roberts asked the senators on the committee to fully support Mr. Pai’s nomination.

“I’m sure you can all agree after meeting personally with Mr. Pai as you prepared for this hearing, or in his capacity as a former staffer, that he has a forward vision for the FCC and his experience and understanding of the law will allow him to fairly and objectively carry out his duties as commissioner,” Roberts said.

Mr. Pai’s nomination will soon be placed on the Senate calendar for consideration before the full Senate.

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