Coalition Urges Senate to Swiftly Confirm Both FCC Nominees

More than 20 tech and civil rights organizations are making a joint push to ensure the Senate quickly confirms both Jessica Rosenworcel as Chair and Gigi Sohn as a Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission. Battle for the Net, a long-running hub for grassroots action in support of net neutrality and Internet access, is directing constituents’ messages to their Senators asking them to support these nominations, and sending constituents’ messages over Twitter to Senate Commerce Committee members to push them to quickly schedule a hearing and jointly confirm both FCC nominees. For nearly a year the FCC has been kneecapped without a full roster. If the Senate fails to move before the end of the year, Acting Chair and nominee Rosenworcel would be forced to step down in January 2022, leaving the FCC down to three. “These nominees have immense experience, deep expertise, and track records as coalition builders who work with people from all points on the ideological spectrum. They’re pragmatists who have built unassailable records putting the public interest first,” said Mark Stanley (he/him), director of operations at Demand Progress. “The public has waited long enough. The essential nature of affordable broadband access and an open internet is more clear than ever. The Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, must get to work to quickly confirm these highly-qualified nominees together, so the FCC can in turn get to work for the public.”