Senate Confirms Anna Gomez as FCC's Fifth Commissioner

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 7, 2023

Anna Gomez

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Anna Gomez to the FCC's long vacant Commissioner seat for a five-year term. The FCC contains five members for the first time in over two years, giving the agency a Democratic majority. Earlier this year, President Biden's previous nomination, Gigi Sohn, withdrew her name after more than two years of partisan deadlock. Gomez was confirmed with a voice vote of 55 yes and 43 no votes. West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin voted in favor, while Republican Mitch McConnell voted no.

Gomez is a telecommunications attorney with extensive experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. She serves as a Senior Advisor for International Information and Communications Policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Gomez served as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Deputy Administrator from 2009 to 2013. Gomez also served for 12 years in various positions at the FCC, including as Deputy Chief of the International Bureau and as Senior Legal Advisor to then-Chairman William E. Kennard.

Gomez also served briefly as Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Communication and as Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Economic Council during the Clinton Administration. Prior to joining the State Department in 2023, Gomez was a partner in Wiley LLP's telecommunications media and technology group. Gomez also was Vice president for Federal and State Government Affairs at Sprint Nextel and an Associate at Arnold and Porter.