Dorgan staffer heads to Google

Frannie Wellings, telecom staffer to Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), is leaving Capitol Hill to join Google as federal policy outreach manager, a newly created position.

Wellings, who worked at public interest group Free Press before joining Dorgan's office, was the senator's lead staffer working on net neutrality issues in the Senate Commerce Committee. It is unclear whether she will register as a lobbyist, Roll Call reported this morning.

According to Roll Call, some Republicans are criticizing the move, especially at a time when lobbying over the controversial net neutrality regulations is heating up. Net neutrality supporters said it isn't an issue because Google and Dorgan have long been on the same page when it comes to the regulations, which would prohibit Internet service providers from blocking customer access to certain content and services.