Deborah Taylor Tate is one of five current United States FCC Commissioners. She was nominated by President George W. Bush on 2005-11-09, for the remainder of the term expiring 2007-06-30. She was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on 2005-12-21, and sworn in as FCC Commissioner on 2006-01-03. She has spoken out in favor of Digital Rights Management and suggested TV may be a contributing factor in childhood obesity .

In April 2007, the Center for Public Integrity reported that Tate, a Nashville native, received talking points on how to best oppose the pending merger between satellite radio firms XM and Sirius from a representative of Clear Channel, a terrestrial radio company opposing the deal.

As of December 30, 2008 The FCC has announced that Tate will be resigning from office; as one of the three Republican commissioners, her departure is a sure thing given the new Barack Obama administration is set to take office in early January.