Cantwell Not Committing to New Senate Vetting of Sohn, for Now
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., stopped short Tuesday of agreeing to a push from Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., for a full re-vetting of FCC nominee Gigi Sohn, after her re-selection to be the commission’s third Democrat (see 2301030060). Other Sohn supporters, meanwhile, hailed her renomination and urged the Senate not to unnecessarily delay advancing her. President Joe Biden first nominated Sohn to the FCC in October 2021 (see 2110260076), but her confirmation process never made it past the committee level. Senate Commerce tied 14-14 on advancing her in March (see 2203030070), leading to a monthslong stall.
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Cantwell “continues to fully support” Sohn “and made clear last month that she wanted the White House to renominate her to the FCC,” Senate Commerce Communications Director Tricia Enright emailed us. Sohn “has already been through two formal hearings and [Cantwell] is hopeful that the committee will be able to move her nomination swiftly and successfully” to the full chamber. Cantwell said in December she believed it was unlikely Senate Commerce could avoid holding another confirmation hearing for Sohn if Republicans insisted a re-vetting occur (see 2212300044).
“I’m proud of the work” the FCC “has accomplished in the last two years” while it remained in a 2-2 split, but “I look forward to the day we have a full complement of five commissioners,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Tuesday. “Closing the Homework Gap, broadband access and affordability, telehealth, mapping, and network security are top priorities and we’ve acted accordingly.” Sohn “is a knowledgeable nominee with a long record of commitment to the issues before the FCC and I congratulate her” on her renomination, Rosenworcel said.
“As I said during the last Congress, Gigi Sohn is ‘an accomplished leader whose talent, expertise, and experience will invigorate our work at the FCC,” Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said Wednesday. “I continue to hold that view. Whether we’re protecting consumers, securing our networks, or bringing the promise of new technologies to every community, Americans deserve an FCC that is working at full strength.”
“The challenges of connectivity and broadband access cannot be” delayed, “nor should” be Senate action on Sohn, said Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in a statement. She “will be a strong, effective voice and vote for the public interest, and a key to breaking the FCC’s current deadlock. She is indisputably qualified, and unstintingly dedicated, winning her support across the political spectrum.”
Several groups that have been vocal Sohn supporters pressed the Senate not to drag its feet, after frustration with the chamber for stalling during the last Congress, when there was a 50-50 tie. The Senate shifted to an outright 51-49 Democratic majority Tuesday when the 118th Congress gaveled in. “We are in a critical period of increased federal investment in broadband networks and digital equity initiatives, and the FCC has gone for too long without a fully seated commission,” the Communications Workers of America said: “Continued delay on this nomination is inexcusable and only benefits large corporations who wish to avoid oversight and accountability.”
“No other nominee in the FCC’s history has had to wait so long for a confirmation vote, and none have been better qualified to serve the needs of the public,” said Free Press co-CEO Craig Aaron. “But the Senate buckled to industry pressure and kept her in limbo for more than a year. These seemingly endless delays have harmed millions, preventing the deadlocked agency from passing or strengthening crucial policies that would help people connect and communicate.” The communications industry “lied repeatedly about” Sohn’s “record and principles” during her previous confirmation processes, “but their corrupt and dirty tricks aren't working anymore,” he said: “The new Senate has a renewed mandate to serve the public interest. It can start by confirming Sohn immediately.”
“It’s time for the Senate to speed” Sohn’s confirmation process “to help speed the deployment of new faster broadband networks that bring jobs, savings and new opportunities to communities large and small,” said Incompas CEO Chip Pickering. Sohn “is a fighter and consumer champion who has a proven track record of working with both Republicans and Democrats on solutions that help connect rural communities and bring more broadband competition to American families, schools and small businesses.”