Commissioner Starks announces upcoming resignation

Starks plan to exit in the spring will leave the Commission at 2-1.

In a statement released on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced that he will be resigning from the Federal Communications Commission “this spring”.

Starks, a Democrat was re-confirmed by President Biden in May, 2023. His term was scheduled to end on July 1, 2027.

This announcement would leave the Commission at 2-1 with a Democrat minority. Pursuant to §154(h) of the Communications Act, three members is enough to constitute a quorum. Therefore, votes can take place. This leaves Anna Gomez representing the minority. Nathan Simington and Chairman Brendan Carr will continue representing the majority party.

President Trump previously announced the nomination of Olivia Trusty to serve as the third Republican representative to the Commission, but there has been no movement in that proceeding.

President Trump will be able to also nominate another member to the FCC. Pursuant to §154(b)(5), the maximum number of commissioners who may be members of the same political party shall be a number equal to the least number of commissioners which constitutes a majority of the full membership of the Commission.