Bush makes Gallagher appointment official

President George Bush last week used his recess-appointment power to name Michael Gallagher as assistant secretary of commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

White House spokesman Allen Abney confirmed that President Bush last Thursday made the appointment while Congress was in a recess that ended yesterday. Gallagher had occupied the positions in an "acting" capacity since last fall but had not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Abney said the recess appointment is effective until the end of 2005, assuming Bush is re-elected—in which case, the president is expected to seek full Senate confirmation, which would make the appointment indefinite. Of course, if Democrat John Kerry is elected president, he will have the right to make his own appointment.

Telecommunications Industry Association President Matthew Flanigan called Gallagher "the right man for the job" in a prepared statement. National Cable & Telecommunications Association President and CEO Robert Sachs also expressed support for the appointment, calling it an "excellent choice" while noting that Gallagher’s efforts always have "aimed at bringing more consumers the benefits of advanced technology—a passion the cable industry shares with him."