Biden Renominates Gigi Sohn as FCC Commissioner

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Gigi Sohn

President Joe Biden renominated Democrat Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission, despite Republican resistance to advance her nomination during the last congressional session, reports Bloomberg Law. Sohn's confirmation would give the FCC a Democratic majority. GOP senators criticized Sohn's past remarks denouncing conservative media outlets and called on the President to withdraw her nomination.

"After meeting with Gigi Sohn and questioning her at her confirmation hearing, I am confident that she understands the internet connectivity challenges facing communities in Montana and across rural America," said Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in a statement. "I intend to vote for her nomination because it's critically important we have a fully functioning FCC, and I will hold her accountable to her commitment to increase access to high-speed internet that will lower costs for Montana families, create good-paying jobs, and grow the economy."

In letters sent this week to Senate Commerce chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and ranking member Roger Wicker (R-MS), three former FCC chiefs of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau expressed support for Sohn.

In a letter, former chief David Simpson said Sohn would help help the bureau gain access to technologists, privacy policy experts and security experts to ensure the bureau's work "fully evaluated the costs and benefits of cybersecurity through a consumer lens."

"Invariably there will be issues where her vote may not be the one you would make, but you will always know that she is a straight shooter ready to fully articulate 'the why' behind her decision," wrote Simpson.

Former chiefs Jamie Barnett and David Turetsky also co-signed a separate letter, calling Sohn "a strong advocate for the public safety and homeland security communications policies and initiatives that are critical to the American people and first responders."