244 
(11) perform such other tasks as are necessary to 
preserve and advance the trust relationship between 
the Federal government and Tribal governments. 
SEC. 1003. OFFICE OF CONSUMER ADVOCATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the Fed-
eral Communications Commission an Office of Consumer 
Advocate. The Office shall be headed by a Director, ap-
pointed by the Commission. 
(b) INDEPENDENCE OF THE OFFICE.—The Office shall 
be independent of the other bureaus and offices of the Com-
mission. The Office and its staff shall be bound by the same 
code of conduct, personnel practices, procurement proce-
dures, contracting procedures, and other relevant practices 
and procedures as the Commission. 
(c) APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR; GROUNDS FOR RE-
MOVAL FROM OFFICE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director shall be ap-
pointed by the Commissioners of the Commission, in 
consultation with each other and with the advisory 
committee established under subsection (h). 
(2) INITIAL APPOINTMENT.—The initial Director 
shall be appointed within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(3) TERM; REMOVAL.—The Director— 
(A) shall be appointed for a term of 4 years; 
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(B) may be removed by the Chairman of the 
Commission only for cause, such as malfeasance 
or the failure to carry out the duties of the posi-
tion; and 
(C) shall be eligible for reappointment. 
(4) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director shall— 
(A) be a citizen of the United States; 
(B) be admitted to the practice of law; 
(C) be knowledgeable about the various 
areas within the Commission’s jurisdiction; 
(D) have experience in public interest advo-
cacy; and 
(E) be independent of, and have no substan-
tial pecuniary interest in, any business regulated 
by the Commission for at least 3 years preceding 
appointment. 
(5) COMPENSATION.—The Director shall be com-
pensated at the rate established for GS-15 of the Gen-
eral Schedule under section 5104 of title 5, United 
States Code. The salaries paid to any members of the 
staff of the Office shall be consistent with and in the 
range applicable to salaries paid to employees of the 
Commission. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Director of the Office shall act as 
an attorney for and represent all residential consumers gen-
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erally, in any matters relating to matters within the juris-
diction of the Commission. 
(e) AUTHORITY.—The Director may— 
(1) comment, intervene, or otherwise be a party 
in any Commission proceeding or investigation con-
cerning matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction 
that affect residential consumers; 
(2) have the same access to Commission records 
as enjoyed by other Commission officials; 
(3) appeal any determination, finding, or order 
of the Commission in any proceeding in which the Of-
fice has participated; 
(4) appear on behalf of residential consumers be-
fore other Federal agencies and Federal courts in 
cases as the Director may determine is consistent with 
the Office’s goals; 
(5) participate in any Commission-established 
committees or other bodies that consider or review 
matters that affect residential consumers of services 
within the Commission’s jurisdiction; and 
(6) appear and testify before Congress regarding 
matters within the scope of the Office’s duties. 
(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTOR.—The Director 
shall be responsible for effectuating the purpose, goals, and 
administration of the Office, including the provision of any 
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