“BREAKING: The Washington D.C. power table has been turned upside down as President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair, Gigi Sohn, faced a barrage of opposition from lawmakers and industry insiders alike. The drama unfolded yesterday evening as Sohn’s nomination was met with heated debate, leaving the nation wondering what’s next for the FCC and the country’s digital landscape.
The Nomination
Olivia Trusty, a staffer for Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), is Donald Trump’s choice to fill the fifth spot on the FCC. “Olivia will work with our incredible new Chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, to cut regulations at a record pace, protect Free Speech, and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast Internet,” Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social.
Trump already has appointed Brendan Carr, a current commissioner, to serve as chairman of the agency. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, appointed by President Joe Biden, said she plans to step down and depart the FCC on Monday, when Trump takes office. Rosenworcel’s departure will leave the FCC with a 2-2 split between Democrats and Republicans until the Senate confirms Trusty.
Who is Olivia Trusty?
Trusty is policy director on the Senate Commerce Committee. She also is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Georgetown University. Prior to joining the Office of Senator Wicker, Olivia worked on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. Prior to that, she served as legislative assistant to Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH). Before coming to the Hill, Olivia spent time at Verizon and Qwest Communications as a Senior Policy Advisor.
Trump’s Choice: Cutting Regulations and Protecting Free Speech
Trump’s nomination of Trusty reflects his commitment to reducing regulations and protecting free speech. Trusty’s priorities as FCC commissioner will likely focus on cutting regulations and ensuring that the agency is more business-friendly. This could have significant implications for the broadcast industry, as the FCC will be less likely to impose strict regulations on broadcasters.
The impact on the broadcast industry and American consumers will depend on Trusty’s approach to regulation. If Trusty is successful in reducing regulations, it could lead to increased investment in the broadcast industry and improved services for consumers. However, if Trusty’s approach is overly permissive, it could lead to a lack of oversight and potential exploitation by broadcasters.
The FCC Power Shift
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s Departure
Rosenworcel’s departure will leave the FCC with a 2-2 split between Democrats and Republicans until the Senate confirms Trusty. This could lead to a period of gridlock and paralysis at the agency, as the two parties will be unable to agree on key issues.
The Senate confirmation process for Trusty is likely to be contentious, as Democrats will be eager to block Trump’s nominee and preserve their majority on the Commission. If Trusty is confirmed, it will give the Republicans a 3-2 majority on the FCC, which could lead to a significant shift in the agency’s policies and priorities.
The 2-2 Split: What’s Next for the FCC?
The 2-2 split at the FCC will likely lead to a period of partisan gridlock and stalemate. This could have significant implications for the agency’s agenda and priorities, as well as for the broadcast industry and American consumers.
The Senate confirmation process for Trusty is likely to be a key battleground in the coming months. Democrats will be eager to block Trump’s nominee and preserve their majority on the Commission, while Republicans will be pushing to confirm Trusty and give themselves a majority on the FCC.
Industry Reaction
Congratulations from NAB and FCC Commissioners
NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt issued a statement saying: “NAB congratulates Olivia Trusty on her well-deserved nomination. As a senior staffer on the Armed Services and Commerce committees in both the Senate and House, Olivia has been heavily involved in every legislative debate impacting the broadcast industry for the past decade. In that capacity we have seen firsthand a work ethic, issue expertise and strategic acumen that will greatly benefit the FCC.”
FCC commissioners Anna Gomez and Geoffrey Starks also issued congratulatory statements. FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez said “congratulations to Olivia Trusty on the President-Elect’s announcement of his intent to nominate her as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. She is widely respected, a consummate professional, and has a strong background on communications policy.”
Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said: “congratulations to Olivia Trusty on her nomination today. She is a committed public servant with extensive knowledge of the communications sector. As clearly exhibited by her work in the Senate, she is an effective policy-maker, which will be beneficial to the FCC.”
What’s Next for the FCC?
The Confirmation Process
The confirmation process for Trusty is likely to be contentious, as Democrats will be eager to block Trump’s nominee and preserve their majority on the Commission. If Trusty is confirmed, it will give the Republicans a 3-2 majority on the FCC, which could lead to a significant shift in the agency’s policies and priorities.
The timeline for the confirmation process is unclear, but it is likely to take several months. The Senate Commerce Committee will likely hold a hearing to consider Trusty’s nomination, and then the full Senate will vote on her confirmation.
The FCC’s Agenda Under Trusty’s Leadership
Under Trusty’s leadership, the FCC’s agenda is likely to focus on reducing regulations and promoting free speech. This could lead to a number of policy changes, including changes to the agency’s rules on broadcast ownership and spectrum allocation.
The impact of Trusty’s leadership on the broadcast industry and American consumers will depend on her approach to regulation. If Trusty is successful in reducing regulations, it could lead to increased investment in the broadcast industry and improved services for consumers. However, if Trusty’s approach is overly permissive, it could lead to a lack of oversight and potential exploitation by broadcasters.
Conclusion
As we conclude our analysis of the stunning news surrounding Donald Trump’s FCC nominee, it is clear that the implications are far-reaching and will have a significant impact on the future of media regulation in the United States. The nominee’s controversial views on net neutrality, media ownership, and the role of government in regulating the internet have sent shockwaves through Washington, leaving many wondering what’s next.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated, as it has the potential to fundamentally alter the landscape of the internet and media industry as we know it. The FCC, once a champion of consumer protection and public interest, may soon be transformed into a bastion of corporate interests, with the nominee’s appointment paving the way for a more deregulated and profit-driven approach to media regulation. This poses a grave threat to the free flow of information, the diversity of voices, and the ability of Americans to access the internet without interference or manipulation.