President Barack Obama late Thursday afternoon named Michael Copps the acting head of the FCC.

The agency has been without a chairman since Jan. 21, Republican Kevin Martin’s last day.

Copps has served on the FCC commission since 2001. He’ll lead the agency until Obama’s choice for permanent FCC head — reported to be Julius Genachowski — receives Senate confirmation.

Copps is one of the two Democrats currently on the commission; Robert McDowell is the sole Republican until Obama appoints someone to replace Martin. Obama also must replace Republican Deborah Tate, who resigned late last year amid expectation that she would not be asked to serve another term. Democrats will maintain the majority.