The Federal Communications Commission today welcomed two new commissioners to the five-member panel that oversees telecommunications in the United States.

Both new commissioners were sworn in this morning by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, who himself is the subject of some speculation he will leave his position at the agency during a second term of office for President Obama.

Jessica Rosenworcel replaces Democrat Michael Copps, who retired from the Commission.  She previously worked as one of Copps’ legal assistants, and has experience on Capitol Hill and as a staffer at the FCC.

Republican Ajit Varadaraj Pai replaces Meredith Attwell-Baker, who left the Commission to take a position at Comcast.

Baker’s departure was controversial because she participated in a vote that approved the merger of Comcast and NBC-Universal, and now works for the combined entity.

Pai has also worked on the Hill and at the FCC, previously serving in the office of general counsel at the FCC for former chairman Kevin Martin.

The FCC currently has three Democratic and two Republican commissioners.  Most FCC watchers predict the new appointments will not fundamentally change how the agency operates. FCC decisions are often unanimous.