The U.S. Senate Friday confirmed Robert McDowell as the newest member of the Federal Communications Commission on Friday. He was confirmed through a procedure that didn’t require a vote, but could by stopped by a single member’s objection.

His confirmation fills the fifth seat on the FCC and re-establishes a Republican majority for the first time in more than a year. McDowell is an attorney who has been active in the communications industry, most recently as senior vice president and assistant general counsel for Comptel, the organization of competitive telecom service providers.

McDowell’s arrival at the FCC will enable FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to proceed on some issues, such as media ownership rules, which have been hung up due to opposition of the agency’s two Democrats.

“I congratulate Rob McDowell on his confirmation as Commissioner at the FCC,” Martin said in a prepared statement. “He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the communications arena, and we will rely on his insight. I am anxious to have him onboard and look forward to working with a full complement of Commissioners to address the important issues before us.”