Anna Gomez confirmed as fifth FCC commissioner

U.S. senators today voted 55-43 to confirm Anna Gomez as the fifth commissioner at the FCC, providing Democrats with its first majority at the agency since President Joe Biden was inaugurated in January 2021.

“Thank you to President Biden for nominating me to the Federal Communications Commission and to the Senate for confirming me,” Gomez said in a statement on her LinkedIn page. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”

Gomez has extensive experience in telecom law and policy, serving both in the private sector and in government. Gomez has worked at both the FCC and at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)—the two government agencies that are responsible for developing spectrum policy for the U.S.

In February 2012, Gomez—the NTIA deputy assistant secretary at the time—served as the administration’s representative to IWCE, where she spoke about the establishment of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) that had just been enacted with a signature from then-President Barack Obama.

A Senate committee advanced the nomination of Gomez and the renominations of FCC commissioners Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, and Brendan Carr, a Republican. While Gomez was confirmed today, Carr and Starks await a decision on their renominations.

With the addition of Gomez, Democrats hold a 3-2 partisan edge on the FCC for the first time since Biden took office. After being inaugurated, Biden waited an unusually long time before nominating Gigi Sohn to the FCC. Bit the controversial Sohn faced opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate, and her nomination was never the subject of a Senate vote. Sohn decided to withdraw from FCC consideration early this year, opening the door for Biden to nominate Gomez.

In the meantime, the FCC has been deadlocked 2-2 along party lines, which has limited the agency’s ability to reach decisions on some of the more disputed policy issues, such as net-neutrality rules that were reversed by a Republican-majority FCC six years ago. Critics of net-neutrality rules have contended that they open the potential that the FCC could lead to utility-like price regulation of broadband services that have been largely unregulated to date.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) voiced the sentiment of many Democrats in his comments of support for Gomez prior to the confirmation vote.

“I support Ms. Gomez’s nomination, because I know that she is ready for these fights,” Markey said. “She knows that, today, broadband is not a luxury. Like running water or heat, broadband is an essential utility.

“Without high-quality and affordable broadband, students cannot learn, small businesses cannot reach new customers, entrepreneurs cannot innovate, and seniors cannot access telemedicine. The FCC’s authority must reflect the essential nature of the Internet in American life, and that is exactly what Ms. Gomez will provide.”

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) disagreed with this notion during his floor speech opposing Gomez prior to the confirmation vote, describing a vote in support of Gomez as “a vote for regulating the Internet.”

Cruz also expressed concern that Gomez could support FCC policies that would infringe upon citizens’ First Amendment rights of free speech.

“But, by far, most concerning in Ms. Gomez’s history is her tweets concerning the use of government power to police so-called misinformation,” Cruz said, who said he asked Gomez specifically about potential censorship issues.

“She gave vague answers and did not assure the Commerce Committee that she would actively oppose censorship at the FCC. Confirming Ms. Gomez would harm taxpayers, broadband investment, innovation and, most importantly, our First Amendment freedoms.”

Despite the concerns expressed by Cruz, Gomez was confirmed by a comfortable margin in the Senate.

Many in the communications community applauded the Senate confirmation of Gomez, including FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

“Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her confirmation by the United States Senate,” Rosenworcel said in a prepared statement. “ I look forward to welcoming her to the Commission.

“Anna brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the United States stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. Her international expertise will be a real asset to the agency. I look forward to working with her to advance the agency’s mission to ensure the benefits of modern communications reach everyone, everywhere and that the United States can continue to lead in the digital age.”

Several leaders of key critical-communications associations extended congratulations to Gomez

“I offer my sincere congratulations to Ms. Gomez,” APCO CEO Derek Poarch said in a prepared statement. “She brings a wealth of experience to her role, as well as a true appreciation of the public safety community’s needs. I am confident she will serve the country well as a commissioner at the FCC.”

Brian Fontes, CEO of NENA – The 9-1-1 Association, echoed this sentiment.

“NENA welcomes the U.S. Senate’s action today in confirming Anna Gomez to serve as a member of the Federal Communications Commission,” Fontes said in a prepared statement.

“We have known Anna for years as she served at the FCC, at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and in private practice. Anna is a person of the highest integrity, and she is an expert in telecommunication law and policy. She fully understands all aspects of 911 and public-safety policy. She will make an excellent commissioner.”

NATE President and CEO Todd Schlekeway expressed support for the Gomez confirmation vote.

“NATE and our over 1,140 member companies congratulate Anna Gomez on her confirmation by the U.S. Senate,” Schlekeway said in a prepared statement. “The association looks forward to working with Commissioner Gomez and her staff on the myriad policy issues facing the communications infrastructure, wireless, broadband and telecom ecosystem.”