FCC Nominee Olivia Trusty Gets Warm Reception At Hearing

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Wednesday held a nominations hearing to review Olivia Trusty’s candidacy as a nominee for a FCC commissioner position. 

The hearing saw a warm reception for Trusty from both sides of the aisle, with little apparent friction given the Republican-controlled Senate. Trusty, nominated by President Donald Trump in January, is a seasoned Capitol Hill aide with over a decade of experience, most recently serving as policy director for the Senate Commerce Committee under Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). 

Her background includes legislative roles with Wicker and Representative Bob Latta (R-Ohio), as well as private-sector stints at Verizon and Qwest Communications. If confirmed, Trusty would fill the vacancy left by former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who stepped down in January 2025, and her appointment would secure a 3-2 Republican majority on the five-member commission alongside Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington.

The hearing saw little apparent friction given the Republican-controlled Senate. Several senators praised her extensive telecom policy expertise. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) asked how a unified stance among U.S. agencies could enhance American telecom leadership, to which Trusty responded that a cohesive spectrum policy would allow better collaboration with allies, signaling U.S. commitment to global telecommunications advancement. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) raised the issue of reauthorizing the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, expired since March 2023, and Trusty emphasized its importance as a signal of U.S. prioritization in telecom policy.

Democrats, while supportive, probed areas of concern. Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) had previously indicated that FCC independence from White House influence would be a focus, though specific questions on this weren’t widely detailed in public accounts. Some Democrats also expressed worry about the FCC’s future under a Republican majority, particularly with Commissioner Geoffrey Starks set to depart by summer 2025, potentially leaving only one Democratic seat. 

Sen. Ben Ray Luján pressed Trusty on whether she supports the White House’s involvement in FCC decisions, particularly around reinstated political petitions targeting CBS, NBC, and ABC. Trusty answered that she would “focus on the rules and carry them out fairly and objectively,” adding that while the president is entitled to express views, she would be “guided by the statute.”

Trusty also made clear she does not support the “weaponization” of the FCC.