Michael O'Rielly


Michael O'Rielly is a commissioner of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, an independent agency of the United States government. He was nominated by President Barack Obama in August 2013 and was confirmed on October 29, 2013, taking office on November 4, 2013. He was nominated to complete the term of outgoing commissioner Robert M. McDowell which ended on June 30, 2014. He was then renominated and reconfirmed by the Senate.

Education

Commissioner O’Rielly received his B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Career

O'Rielly began his career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Bliley from 1994 to 1995. He then served as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives from 1998 to 2003, and Telecommunications Policy Analyst from 1995 to 1998.
From 2003 to 2009, O'Rielly worked in the office of U.S. Senator John E. Sununu, where he served as the Senior Legislative Assistant and later the Legislative Director. From 2009 to 2010, O'Rielly worked for the Republican Policy Committee in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues. From 2010 to 2013, O'Rielly worked in the office of the Senate Republican Whip as a policy advisor for U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and as a policy advisor, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Policy Director for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.

Policy

During his term as FCC Commissioner, O'Rielly voted against a proposal that would reclassify Internet service providers as Title II Common Carriers and impose net neutrality rules, a proposal that would overturn state laws that prevent Internet service providers from competition from municipal broadband providers, a proposal to change the technical definition of "broadband Internet" from at least 4Mbps to at least 25Mbps, a proposal to use the LifeLine phone service subsidy program to subsidize broadband access to poor people, and a 2015 ruling that expanded consumer protections against Robodialers.