Anna Gomez, nominee for FCC commissioner. Photo: NTIA

President Biden has nominated Anna M. Gomez for the empty spot commissioner spot on the FCC, the White House announced Monday. 

Gomez is a telecommunications attorney who serves as a senior advisor for International Information and Communications Policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. She was previously deputy administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and worked at the FCC as both deputy chief of the International Bureau and senior legal advisor to former Chairman William Kennard. 

She is also leading the U.S. delegation for this year’s World Radiotelecommunication Conference (WRC-23).

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel applauded Gomez’s nomination. “She 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. I wish her all the best during the confirmation process,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. 

Gomez is the second nominee Biden has put forth to break the gridlock on the FCC — his previous nominee, Gigi Sohn, withdrew her nomination in March. Sohn was nominated for more than a year, but was unable to secure Senate confirmation. 

Biden also nominated current commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr for additional terms. Starks, a Democrat, has served on the FCC since January 2019 and his term was set to end July 1. 

Carr, a Republican, has been a commissioner since 2017 and his current term is through June 2023. 

If Gomez is confirmed in the Senate, it would break the deadlock on the FCC, which currently has two Republican commissioners, Carr and Nathan Simington, and two Democrats, Rosenworcel and Starks. 

Both Republican commissioners Carr and Simington issued statements in support of Gomez. 

“Ms. Gomez’s career demonstrates a longstanding commitment to public service — from her leadership in the State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to her previous service as staff counsel in the U.S. Senate and roles at the FCC, White House, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). I would welcome the chance to work together as colleagues on policies that will protect consumers and promote the interests of all Americans,” Carr said.

The Satellite Industry Association also issued a statement in support of Gomez and the re-nominations.

“Ms. Gomez is a long-time public servant and brings with her a wealth of policy expertise regarding telecommunications and international satellite spectrum management,” said Tom Stroup, president of SIA. “SIA also applauds Commissioners Carr and Starks on their renominations. We look forward to continuing to work with them and the entire FCC leadership and commend them for recognizing the expanding importance of satellites and the space industry. SIA strongly encourages the U.S. Senate to rapidly confirm each of today’s nominees.”