President Biden introduced Monday he's nominating telecommunications lawyer Anna M. Gomez to a emptiness on the Federal Communications Commission, his second try and fill a seat on the five-member company that has been deadlocked 2-2 because the begin of his presidency.

The White House touted Ms. Gomez’s FCC credentials, saying she has “extensive experience in domestic and international communications law and policy” together with 12 years in varied roles on the FCC.

The president introduced the appointment after a earlier nominee, Gigi Sohn, withdrew amid opposition from Sen. Joseph Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, and criticism from Republicans.

If confirmed by the Senate, her nomination would break two years of partisan impasse on the company. The FCC has been break up 2-2 since Mr. Biden took workplace, because it seeks to resolve on points similar to restoring “net neutrality” guidelines that might prohibit web service suppliers from blocking or selling sure content material.

Mr. Biden issued an govt order in 2021 that inspired the FCC to revive internet neutrality guidelines that had been repealed below the Trump administration.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel mentioned Ms. Gomez “brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the U.S. stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected.”

Ms. Gomez has labored with the State Department’s new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, and was beforehand a accomplice on the huge legislation agency Wiley Rein.

Earlier this yr, the State Department named Ms. Gomez as its lead for U.S. preparations for a serious worldwide telecommunications convention in Dubai scheduled to start in November.

“Ms. Gomez has a distinguished career in the telecommunications sector — serving in both government and industry,” the State Department mentioned on the time. “Prior to joining the Department of State, Ms. Gomez served for over a decade in various positions in the Federal Communications Commission, including Deputy Chief of the International Bureau, where she developed and implemented policy on international telecommunications and satellite spectrum.”

Ms. Gomez’s temporary expertise as a counsel on the Senate Commerce Committee may additionally show useful in navigating the perilous affirmation course of that sunk Ms. Sohn’s nomination.

Ms. Sohn withdrew her nomination in March and decried lies and caricatures about her as affecting her choice.

The Communications Workers of America applauded Mr. Biden’s nomination of Ms. Gomez on Monday and ripped Republicans.

“For too long, we have been without a full roster of FCC commissioners as industry lobbyists and their Republican allies in the Senate delayed and obstructed President Biden’s nominee,” the group mentioned in a press release. “This must not happen again.”

Former FCC chairman Ajit Pai, who was appointed to the FCC by former President Trump, congratulated Ms. Gomez on Twitter and applauded the president’s renominations of FCC commissioners Brendan Carr, a Republican appointee, and Geoffrey Adam Starks, a Democrat.

“Commissioners Carr and Starks have served with distinction for years and Anna Gomez would leverage a wide range of public and private experience, including @FCC and @NTIAgov,” Mr. Pai mentioned on Twitter.

• This story is predicated partially on wire service stories.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com