Biden To Nominate Gomez For FCC Commish
• UPDATED: President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate veteran telecommunications lawyer Anna Gomez as an FCC commissioner. Biden’s previous pick for the open FCC seat, Gigi Sohn, finally withdrew her nomination in early March following a bitter 16-month lobbying battle that blocked her appointment and opened her up to relentless personal attacks.
As Variety notes, Gomez currently works at the State Department as a senior adviser for international information and communications policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Gomez also served as deputy administrator for the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) from 2009 to 2013, and she spent 12 years with the FCC in various roles, including as Deputy Chief of the International Bureau and as senior legal adviser to then-Chairman William E. Kennard.
Following the President’s announcement, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel issued the following statement: “I congratulate Anna Gomez on her nomination to serve as FCC Commissioner. She brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the U.S. stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. I wish her all the best during the confirmation process.”
President Biden concurrently announced the renominations of current FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr (Republican) and Geoffrey Starks (Democrat) for five-year terms.
Regarding the proposed nomination of Anna Gomez, Commissioner Carr released the following statement: “I want to extend my congratulations to Anna Gomez on her nomination by President Biden to serve on the Commission. Ms. Gomez’s career demonstrates a longstanding commitment to public service — from her leadership in the State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to her previous service as staff counsel in the U.S. Senate and roles at the FCC, White House, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). I would welcome the chance to work together as colleagues on policies that will protect consumers and promote the interests of all Americans.” Starks said of Gomez, “Anna is one of the Nation’s preeminent communications policy experts, and her experience would bring a unique and valuable perspective to the agency.”
In response to the Gomez nomination, NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt commented, “NAB congratulates Anna Gomez on her nomination by President Biden to serve as an FCC Commissioner. Ms. Gomez possesses a wealth of experience in media and telecommunications, most notably from her service as acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration during the nation’s transition to digital television. With Next Gen TV launching in markets around the country, if confirmed, Ms. Gomez can bring her demonstrated ability to work with industry, manufacturers and consumers to help ensure a smooth and expeditious transition for millions of Americans.” LeGeyt added, “We applaud the Biden Administration’s ongoing commitment to diversity and are eager to work with all the Commissioners on policies that better enable the broadcast industry to reflect the diverse communities we serve. NAB looks forward to the confirmation process and learning more about Ms. Gomez’s commitment to the critical services local television and radio stations provide to their communities.”
If Gomez is confirmed by the Senate, Democrats will have a 3-2 edge at the agency. Chairwoman Rosenworcel is a Democrat, and Trump appointee Nathan Simington is the other Republican commissioner. [Gomez photo: NTIA]
