Senate Confirms Gomez To FCC

• The U.S. Senate voted 55-43 on Thursday to confirm Democrat Anna Gomez to fill the open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, breaking the 2-2 deadlock at the agency that has lasted the entirety of the Biden presidency.

The confirmation of Gomez, a telecom attorney, comes after a protracted battle to confirm President Biden’s initial pick for the commissioner seat, Gigi Sohn, who finally withdrew her nomination in March of this year after being subjected to what she described as “unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks.”

Gomez most recently served as a Sr. Advisor on Communications Policy at the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. She was previously Deputy Administrator at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from 2009 to 2013. No stranger to the inner workings of the FCC, Gomez earlier served for 12 years in various positions at the agency, including as Deputy Chief of the International Bureau and as senior legal adviser to then-Chairman William E. Kennard.

In response to the Senate confirmation of Gomez, NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt is the following statement: “NAB congratulates Anna Gomez on her confirmation to the Federal Communications Commission. Her wealth of experience in telecommunications policymaking will help the FCC address the critical issues facing radio and television broadcasters. NAB looks forward to working with Ms. Gomez and a fully seated Commission to provide the regulatory certainty, modernization and flexibility that will enable local broadcasting to thrive and enhance our service to tens of millions of American every day.”

As CNBC reports, “With the arrival of Gomez, a telecom attorney who’s previously worked in several positions at the FCC and in the private sector, the agency has the opportunity to pursue actions without the support of the Republican commissioners. That could include a push to return to net neutrality rules, which seek to prevent internet service providers from slowing or blocking service for select websites, for which President Joe Biden has voiced his support. Still, the late confirmation and fast-approaching 2024 elections could complicate such efforts.”