3 Things To Know About Sohn's FCC Confirmation Chances

Gigi Sohn, a progressive nominated by President Joe Biden for an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, is facing some friction in her confirmation bid. Here's what you need to know about Sohn's prospects for joining the FCC heading into Thanksgiving weekend. The Senate Commerce Committee explore Sohn's qualifications to fill the fifth and final FCC seat in a session directly following the vote. Sohn, who was nominated in late October, will be questioned alongside Alan Davidson, the nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and two other Department of Commerce appointees. Republicans are likely to spend the hearing probing whether Sohn is seen as too progressive to be a palatable partner on what so far have been bipartisan initiatives like broadband mapping and 5G deployment. Democrats, on the other hand, will probably be supportive of Sohn's bona fides as an adviser to the FCC during the Obama administration and her ties to the public interest sector. 

While her final vote totals in the Senate remain to be seen, Sohn is supported by net neutrality advocates and public interest groups, independent programmers and even some conservative voices. "I would be shocked if the confirmation is not readily quick," said Pantelis Michalopoulos, a Steptoe & Johnson LLP partner who has represented pro net neutrality clients. Given the number of angles from which Sohn could appeal to stakeholders, Perkins Coie communications industry group chair Marc Martin said she will likely garner a majority vote in the Senate. "I would not be surprised if she's developed positive relationships with both sides of the aisle," Martin said. "People may disagree with her on her policies like net neutrality, but I think that many fairminded people will say, 'I still respect her.'"