President Joe Biden on Monday nominated Anna Gomez, a veteran government telecommunications lawyer, to serve as the third Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission.
Gomez’s confirmation would unlock more than two years of FCC impasse, allowing the agency to approve more controversial telecommunications rules, such as reinstating net neutrality protections nationwide. As of publication, it is unclear when the Senate plans to hold its first confirmation hearing on Gomez’s nomination.
“I congratulate Anna Gomez on her nomination to serve as FCC Commissioner,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement Monday. “She brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a vast record of public service, and a history of working to ensure America keeps all of us connected.
“She brings with her a wealth of telecom experience”
The nomination of Gomez, a longtime government attorney turned corporate law partner, comes months after Biden’s previous pick, Gigi Sohn, withdrew her nomination. First nominated in October 2021, Sohn’s nomination was a major victory for progressives, who favored her decades of experience in public advocacy work. Sohn previously served as an aide to former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who first implemented net neutrality protections in 2015.
Sohn’s nomination was met with an intense and often bad-faith opposition campaign led by Republicans. His confirmation process languished for more than 16 months before withdrawing from the campaign.
“I could not imagine that cable and media industry lobbyists, their bought and paid for surrogates, and dark money political groups with bottomless pockets would treat my 30 year history as a consumer advocate as an absurd Will distort into caricature.” Blatant lies,” Sohan said in a statement at the time.
