[ictoan]

Pai was appointed by Obama at the recommendation of Mitch McConnell.

And this is because only 3 FCC commissioners may be members of the same political party. So once Obama appointed 3 Democrats, he HAS to appoint 2 Republicans. McConnell essentially appointed the other 2 for Obama.

[Mononokay]

Thank you for informing me - I was unaware of that requirement.

Couldn't he have appointed an Independent/Green Party to the position, though?

[heurist]

What would that have gotten him?