President Joe Biden has appointed telecommunications attorney Anna Gomez to the Federal Communications Commission. This is the second attempt to fill a vacancy in the normally five-member commission that has been stuck in a 2-2 stalemate throughout the presidential term.
The nomination comes months after Mr. Biden’s previous candidate, Gigi Thorne, pulled out of consideration after a multi-year campaign for approval. She was first nominated in October 2021, but has faced criticism from some senators from her Republican Party and her own Democratic Party.
The Senate Commerce Committee held multiple hearings with Mr. Son to try to assuage concerns, but it remained unclear whether he would get enough support for approval.
The 2-2 split between Democrats and Republicans on the FCC means that only actions that win the support of at least one Republican commissioner can move forward. Controversial issues such as net neutrality are off the table, despite the Biden administration’s desire to reinstate rules that prohibit internet service providers from blocking or favoring certain content. as it was.
In July 2021, Biden issues executive order The provision prompted the FCC to restore net neutrality rules. The rule took hold while he was vice president in the Obama administration, but was abolished under Trump’s FCC chairmanship.
Gomez is a senior adviser on international telecommunications policy for the State Department’s Office of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, the White House said. She previously served as Deputy Director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a division of the Department of Commerce that manages broadband funding and advises the President on communications and information policy issues.
Gomez has held multiple positions at the FCC over the past 12 years, according to the White House. She also worked in the private sector, including as a partner at law firm Wiley Rein, before joining the State Department in 2023. Earlier in her career, she was Vice President of Federal and State Affairs at Sprint Nextel.
FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworsel said in a statement that Gomez had “a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial track record in public service, and the ability of the United States to stay on the cutting edge to keep us all connected.” It has given me a career that I have been trying to do,” he said.
Gomez’s nomination also received praise from the telecommunications industry.
Tom Reed, Chief Legal Officer comcastIn a statement, the company, which owns CNBC’s parent company, NBCUniversal, said Gomez’s “deep knowledge of a wide range of pre-FCC issues makes her exceptionally qualified as commissioner.”
Jonathan Sparter, President and CEO of USTelecom, is an industry group representing broadband providers such as: AT&T and verizoncongratulated Gomez in a statement.
“I have known Anna for many years for her role as an advocate for the public and private sectors and, if confirmed, she and the five other members of our team will be working together towards the common goal of uniting everyone around the world. We look forward to working with the FCC, which consists of “the power and promise of broadband,” Sparter said.
Free Press, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports net neutrality, said Gomez’s nomination was long overdue.
“We are approaching two and a half years without a fully functioning Federal Communications Commission,” Free Press co-CEO Jessica J. Gonzalez said in a statement. “Never before have Americans waited so long for a seat on the commission to be filled. It harms millions of people, including systems, rural communities,” long ignored by the largest telecommunications and broadcasting conglomerates. “
Gonzalez called Gomez “extremely qualified” for the position and praised the Latino candidate for being nominated for the position.
“In addition to his corporate experience (he often worked for competitive airlines rather than his current job), Gomes also has a long track record of public service, including senior positions at the FCC and the Department of Commerce,” Gonzalez said. there are,” he said.
Biden also renominated two existing members to the committee, Democrat Jeffrey Starks and Republican Brendan Carr. The institution at the same time he may not have more than three members from one political party.
A Senate vote is required to confirm the nominee.
Disclosure: Comcast owns CNBC’s parent company, NBCUniversal.
Note: The proposed policy on Internet gatekeepers could increase competition, said frmr. White House CTO
