Congressional Oversight Hearings Set For FCC

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) Friday announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled "Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.” 

The Senate Commerce Committee has set June 22 for a hearing on Federal Communications Commission nominees Anna Gomez, Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr.  Carr, a Republican, and Starks, a Democrat, are being renominated to new five-year terms, but it’s the first time around for Gomez, whom the White House nominated for the pivotal third Democratic seat after President Joe Biden’s first choice, Gigi Sohn, failed to overcome major pushback from Republicans and industry, reportedly with the aid of a couple of fence-sitting Democrats.

Gomez is currently a senior adviser on communications policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the State Department and has a wealth of experience in that policy, including serving as deputy administrator (acting chief) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which oversees and advises the president on government spectrum policy, from 2009 to 2013.

Gomez, Starks, Carr

Chairs Rodgers and Latta released the following statement:

“The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is vital to connecting Americans to reliable, affordable, broadband services. In recent years, the commission has distributed tens of billions of taxpayer dollars toward closing the digital divide. To aid this effort, Congress tasked the FCC with developing new, updated broadband maps. The FCC is also responsible for regulating commercial wireless usage, ensuring a vibrant media marketplace, cracking down on illegal robocalls, and ensuring the reliability of emergency communication. 

“As the committee with jurisdiction over the FCC, the Energy and Commerce Committee has a responsibility to the American people to ensure the agency is being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and faithfully following Congressional intent. We look forward to hearing from Chair Rosenworcel and the other FCC commissioners about their efforts to carry out the Commission’s mission of boosting Americans’ broadband access and strengthening U.S. communications leadership.”