Reaction to Gomez Confirmation

“Americans need an FCC that is fully equipped to expand access to affordable high-speed internet, protect and strengthen local news broadcasting, and promote spectrum innovation and emerging technologies,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell. “With today’s bipartisan vote confirming Anna Gomez as its fifth commissioner, the FCC has gained an extremely qualified, thoughtful leader who will bring her expertise and consumer-focus to deliver on these priorities.”

“Since restoring the light-touch government regulation of the internet, mobile and fixed broadband access has expanded, Americans enjoy faster internet speeds, and 5G services have been expanded to more rural areas,” said Sen. John Thune (R-SD). “Unfortunately, Ms. Gomez would like to undo that progress by reinstating heavy-handed, Obama-era regulations to the internet, which would stifle our nation’s dynamic and robust e-commerce sector and slow down the expansion of broadband to rural communities. For that reason, I oppose her nomination.”

“Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her confirmation by the United States Senate. I look forward to welcoming her to the Commission. Anna brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the United States stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. Her international expertise will be a real asset to the agency. I look forward to working with her to advance the agency’s mission to ensure the benefits of modern communications reach everyone, everywhere and that the United States can continue to lead in the digital age," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

“I want to extend my congratulations to Anna Gomez on being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as an FCC Commissioner," said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. "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 welcome her as a colleague and look forward to working together on policies that will protect consumers and promote the interests of all Americans.”

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said, "I congratulate Anna Gomez on her Senate confirmation. As I said when she was nominated, Anna’s a true expert, and the depth of her experience will be an asset for the agency and the public we all serve. I look forward to working with her to expand digital opportunity and drive impact in the United States."

“I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to Ms. Gomez on being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as FCC Commissioner. Ms. Gomez has dedicated much of her career to public service and will no doubt continue to faithfully serve the public interest in her new role as Commissioner. I look forward to working with her," said FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington.

“Congratulations to Anna Gomez on receiving full Senate confirmation to serve as FCC Commissioner," said  Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. "Anna brings a wealth of expertise to the Commission at a crucial time in the Biden Administration’s work to close the digital divide. I look forward to working with her and her fellow commissioners.”

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss said, “The Benton Institute is delighted the Senate has confirmed the very qualified, very experienced Anna Gomez and returned the Federal Communications Commission to full strength with five sitting commissioners. With Gomez’s leadership, the FCC will play a critical role in ensuring the public interest in the unfolding communications revolution. Our Nation’s economy and much of our civic life are increasingly dependent on open and competitive broadband facilities and services. We look forward to working with Commissioner Gomez on eliminating digital discrimination, fostering innovation, and encouraging investment so that we can reach our national goals of universal deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to broadband throughout the United States.”

Chris Lewis, President and CEO at Public Knowledge, said, "Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her successful confirmation to join the Federal Communications Commission. Her experience will let her hit the ground running on important issues facing the FCC that require a five member commission, from the digital discrimination rulemaking, to the future of the Universal Service Fund, to nuanced spectrum policy that promotes innovation and competition. The public expects that the FCC is a strong regulator for the public interest in the broadband market as prices continue to rise and some communities are left without reliable high-speed connectivity."

“We’re overjoyed that the Senate confirmed Anna Gomez as the FCC’s fifth commissioner," said Free Press Action Co-CEO Jessica J. González. " We’ve waited for far too long for a fully functional FCC, and there’s so much crucial work before the agency. With Gomez now seated, the agency must start the process of reinstating its authority over broadband under Title II of the Communications Act. It must also complete its work to prevent digital discrimination and ensure that everyone in the United States has reliable and affordable broadband."

“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," said Next Century Cities Executive Director Andy Stutzman.

Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president of government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said, "Anna Gomez is an exemplary leader who is exceptionally qualified to join the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) given her more than 25 years of telecommunications law and policy experience and a proven track record of protecting civil rights. She will be the first Latino commissioner at the FCC in more than 20 years, bringing to the role a demonstrable dedication to equity, diversity, and the advancement of the constituencies served by The Leadership Conference."

"Today, we celebrate the confirmation of an extraordinarily qualified individual and a shift towards an FCC that genuinely represents the people it serves. With Anna Gomez’s appointment, we edge closer to a transformative era in digital policy, characterized by diversity, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to the public interest," said National Hispanic Media Coalition President & CEO Brenda Victoria Castillo.

Lilian Coral, Vice President of Technology and Democracy Programs at New America and Head of the Open Technology Institute said, “OTI is elated to see the Senate confirm Anna Gomez as an FCC Commissioner. She is not only an exceedingly qualified expert in telecommunications and technology, but also an ardent advocate for the public interest. We celebrate that Gomez will be the first Latina Commissioner in over 20 years, and hope that she will help guide the agency in addressing online disinformation and hate speech, barriers to internet access and adoption, and other tech-related issues that disproportionately impact historically marginalized communities in an increasingly diverse United States.

American Library Association President Emily Drabinski said, “A longtime advocate for increasing broadband access, Anna Gomez has a clear understanding of the challenges Americans face in securing reliable, affordable connectivity. With her experience chairing the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment, digital equity is sure to be a priority in the Commission’s policymaking. Over her years of service, Gomez has recognized and encouraged the role libraries play towards expanding access in rural and underserved communities. ALA welcomes the confirmation of Gomez and also encourages the Senate to act quickly on the confirmations of Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks in order to maintain a fully operational commission. We look forward to working with the full commission toward our shared goal of closing the digital divide.”  

“NTCA congratulates Anna Gomez on her confirmation to serve as FCC Commissioner. From her experience working on telecommunications policy at federal agencies and her time in the private sector, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges providers face in ensuring all Americans receive reliable, affordable and robust broadband service. NTCA and its hundreds of community-based members are eager to work with her in her new role to advance the FCC’s mission of universal service for all Americans," said NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association CEO Shirley Bloomfield.

USTelecom President & CEO Jonathan Spalter said, “Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her confirmation. The broadband community remains committed to working with her and the Commission toward our shared goal of building our connected future as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

“We congratulate Anna Gomez on her confirmation as FCC Commissioner and look forward to working with her in facilitating continued investment, innovation and expansion in the communications and media industries, and to fulfilling our nation’s ambition to ensure that all Americans have access to robust and reliable internet service," said NCTA – The Internet & Television Association's Michael Powell. "Ms. Gomez has earned a reputation for being thoughtful about policy and addressing issues with an open mind. We stand ready to work with incoming Commissioner Gomez and the full Commission, particularly on the most important issue of the day – bringing high-speed internet to all.” 

“ACA Connects congratulates Anna Gomez on her confirmation as FCC Commissioner. Time and again, she has demonstrated her expertise, leadership, and sound decision making. We look forward to working with her as the FCC seeks to close the broadband availability and adoption gaps, and to ensure that our small and rural Member companies continue to operate in a regulatory environment that enables their enormous investment in reliable, robust broadband infrastructure to meet the needs of consumers,” said ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer.

“Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her confirmations to the FCC,” said Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) President and CEO Patrick Halley. “Anna’s vast experience in telecom policy and spectrum management will make her an invaluable new voice on the Commission. We look forward to working closely with her to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in network deployment and innovation to enable connectivity everywhere.”