Policymakers

FCC Seeks Budget Boost to Power Equitable Communications Buildout

The Federal Communications Commission has asked for a budget increase of a little more than 5 percent for fiscal 2024 (FY 2024), given inflation and its goal of getting broadband to 100% of the US in an equitable and inclusive way. In its budget request to Congress, the FCC said its top priority is the universal broadband the Biden administration has said should be achievable by the end of the decade. To do that, the agency said, it wants a 5.3

Reactions to the Withdrawal of Gigi Sohn's Nomination to the FCC

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We appreciate Gigi Sohn’s candidacy for this important role.  She would have brought tremendous—intellect and experience, which is why the President nominated her in the first place. We also appreciate her dedication to public service, her talent, and her years of work as one of the nation’s leading public advocates on behalf of American consumers and competition.”

Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate Gigi Sohn Ends Bid for FCC Seat

On October 25, 2021, I joined a chorus of voices celebrating President Biden’s wise choice for America’s broadband future. Having worked with her closely, I understand firsthand that Gigi Sohn is a smart, savvy, and talented leader who would have brought 30 years of relevant experience, an incredible intellect, and tremendous talent to the FCC to help guide our nation's communications future at such a pivotal time in history. Throughout her more than three decades of public interest advocacy, Ms.

Biden FCC nominee withdraws, following bruising lobbying battle

President Biden’s pick to serve as a telecommunications regulator is withdrawing her nomination to the Federal Communications Commission, following a bitter 16-month lobbying battle that blocked her appointment and opened her up to relentless personal attacks. Gigi Sohn, a longtime public interest advocate and former Democratic FCC official who was first nominated by the White House in October 2021, said her decision to withdraw follows “unrelenti

Democrats fear Biden's FCC nominee Gigi Sohn won't be confirmed

President Biden’s nominee for an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society], appears stalled in committee and is in danger of failing to reach the full Senate floor for a vote. If Sohn's nomination falters, the FCC will remain deadlocked with two Republican and two Democratic commissioners — hindering the Biden administration’s effort to implement key parts of the president’s agenda. After a contentious Commerce Committee hearing, Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has yet to schedule a vote

2023 Charles Benton Digital Equity Awards

A more equitable, more just society. What an audacious goal. But it is a goal that, I believe, everyone here shares. “It takes a village” is such an understatement. What it takes to reach this ambitious but increasingly necessary goal is all of us pulling in the same direction over many miles and many years. What it takes is commitment, innovation, leadership, and collaboration. Today we get to celebrate some digital equity heroes. These champions demonstrate the commitment, innovation, leadership, and collaboration we all need to embrace in our own work.

Leadership Conference and Color Of Change Support Confirmation of Gigi Sohn to FCC

On behalf of Color Of Change, one of the nation’s leading racial justice organizations with millions of members nationwide, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States, we write to express our complete support for [Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate] Gigi Sohn’s nomination to serve as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner.

Gaps in broadband access is backdrop to Sohn’s FCC nomination fight

In parts of Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District, more than half of the state’s rural residents don’t have access to a broadband connection, said House Science Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), who represents the district in Congress. Oklahoma is not alone. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), echoed that view at a House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing: “It’s clear traveling in my district [that] too many Americans still lack access to the internet." Even as House Republicans call for more internet access in rural areas, their counterparts in the Senate are holding up the confirmation o

Commerce Committee Announces Subcommittee Memberships

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announced Democratic and Republican subcommittee assignments for the 118th Congress. Members of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband include: Sens.

Sen. Cruz Announces Subcommittee Ranking Members for 118th Congress

The following Republican Ranking Members for the 118th Congress:

Recap: Sohn Nomination Hearing III

Gigi Sohn, President Joe Biden's long-stalled nominee to the Federal Communications Commission fired back at her critics at a Senate Commerce Committee nomination hearing, saying that the telecommunications industry shouldn't be allowed to choose its own regulators. "Unfortunately, that is the exact intent of the past 15 months of false and misleading attacks on my record and my character," she testified. "My industry opponents have hidden behind dark money groups and surrogates because they fe

Meet Your House Communications Subcommittee

The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee in the 118th Congress has new leadership and members. Below we offer a brief look at the broadband priorities for this key panel.

Sen. Fetterman, Recovering After Stroke, Labors to Adjust to Life in the Senate Through Tech

At Senator John Fetterman’s (D-PA) desk in the Senate chamber, there is a newly installed monitor that rises or lowers, depending on whether he sits or stands, and provides closed captioning so he can follow the proceedings. At the center dais, a custom desk stand has been built to accommodate the same technology for when he takes his shifts presiding over the Senate. The sergeant-at-arms has arranged for live audio-to-text transcription for the committees on which Sen. Fetterman serves, and plans to expand the service to all Senate hearings.

Introducing Your Senate Commerce Committee

One of the oldest standing legislative committees in the U.S. Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has jurisdiction over communications, interstate commerce, science, and technology policy. In the Senate, Commerce is the main committee concerned with universal broadband. The committee convened this week for the first time in the 118th Congress.

Authorization and Oversight Plan of the Committee on Energy and Commerce US House of Representatives, 118th Congress

The committee's oversight plan for the 118th Congress. Concerning "Communications and Technology Issues," the committee will focus on the following:

LGBTQ groups condemn identity-based attacks on Gigi Sohn, urge confirmation

Twenty-two LGBTQ advocacy organizations are urging Congress to confirm the nomination of Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] to the Federal Communications Commission, condemning attacks on her identity that have forced her nomination to languish for more than a year. In a letter to Senate leadership, groups including the LGBTQ Victory Fund and the National LGBTQ Task Force wrote that it is “past time” for Sohn, who was first nominated in October 2021, to join the FCC and “use her tremendous qualifications for the betterment of ou

President Biden Announces Appointments to the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee

President Biden announced his intent to appoint highly qualified and diverse industry leaders as members of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. The National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) advises the White House on the reliability, security, and preparedness of vital communications and information infrastructure. Appointees will join previously appointed NSTAC members to provide national security and emergency preparedness solutions by providing innovative policy recommendations backed by a unique industry perspective.

Chair Cantwell Announces Senate Commerce Committee Leadership for the 118th Congress

Democratic subcommittee chairs for the 118th Congress are:

Senate Democrats and Biden need to stand up to homophobic attacks on FCC nominee Gigi Sohn

Gigi Sohn is gay. She’s also a highly qualified nominee for the Federal Communications Commission with decades of experience as a public interest advocate working on issues of affordable broadband access, net neutrality, and closing the digital divide.

Rep Pallone Announces House Commerce Subcommittee Ranking Members and Democratic Roster

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced the full Democratic rosters for each of the six subcommittees in the 118th Congress, including the six subcommittee Ranking Members and the full Committee Vice Ranking Member, who were elected by the Democrats on the Committee on January 27th, 2023:

Sen Markey Urges Movement on Nomination of Gigi Sohn to FCC

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) is urging Congress to move the nomination of Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] to be the fifth member of the Federal Communications Commission. Her nomination has been held up for two years because not enough Democrats could be lined up to hold a Senate vote.

Facing A Fresh Confirmation Process, Gigi Sohn May Not Be Seated On FCC Until This Spring

It is beginning to look like the 2-2 deadlock that has marked the Federal Communications Commission for the past two years is not about to come to an end in the near-term, even though Democrats now have an extra vote in the Senate to confirm Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society].

McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) Named Chair of House Commerce Committee

Trust and confidence in representative government is broken. Accountability in federal agencies is nonexistent, so the Biden administration is pushing radical policies to please its political allies. And the American people are paying the price for it – at the pump, at the grocery store, and at the doctor’s office. The Energy and Commerce Committee is at the center of solving the most important issues facing hardworking Americans – lowering costs, promoting free speech, and preserving free markets.