For Immediate Release
You can find a PDF of this press release here.
Contact: Brian Donoghue
brian@nextcenturycities.org
September 7, 2023
Washington, D.C. (September 7, 2023) – Today, the United States Senate voted 55-43 to confirm Anna Gomez as the Federal Communications Commission’s fifth Commissioner. This vote marks the first time in over two years that the Commission has had a full complement of Commissioners and over two decades since a Latina commissioner has served on the Commission. Gomez has been a long-time supporter of universal broadband service and has a wealth of experience in federal telecommunications policy that can help bridge longstanding divides.
Andy Stutzman, Executive Director at Next Century Cities, offered the following remarks:
“We congratulate Ms. Gomez for her confirmation as the fifth Commissioner. Her experience and guidance allow the FCC to now focus on critical issues such as long-term funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program and working directly with municipalities as they begin to tackle issues that they haven’t been able to address over the last three years.”
Ryan Johnston, Senior Policy Counsel for Federal Programs, added:
“With today’s confirmation of Ms. Gomez as the fifth Commissioner, the agency can now take a step forward in finalizing and releasing rules on digital discrimination, increased broadband speed standards, and new Telecommunications Relay Services, among other important issues.
“However, while the Commission may be fully staffed now, the Senate must work quickly to reconfirm Commissioner Starks before the end of this year. Failing to do so, the Commission will be in essentially the same position it has been for the last two years. Now that the Commission is fully equipped to move forward on so many important issues, it cannot be allowed to backslide.
“We congratulate Ms. Gomez on her confirmation, but the charge ahead is just as enormous as ever. With Commissioner Gomez’s track record of public service, we are sure she will be a champion for consumers and a tireless advocate for universal connectivity.”
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