Tech Associations Urge Senate to Confirm Gigi Sohn to the FCC

Seven technology industry associations sent a joint letter to the Senate majority and minority leaders urging the Senate to confirm Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] as the fifth Federal Communications Commissioner. Associations signing the letter included service provider groups INCOMPAS and NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, as well as the Consumer Technology Association, Chamber of Progress, CompTIA, Computer & Communications Industry Association, and Internet Infrastructure Coalition. “Our members rely on a functioning FCC fully staffed at the commissioner level to advance regulatory items critical to our ability to help promote a strong economy and maintain our nation’s competitiveness,” the letter says. “The absence of a fifth commissioner hamstrings the agency when US leadership on technology is most needed,” they continued. “We are hopeful that debate over Sohn can move quickly given the Commerce Committee’s vote to advance her nomination and her strong qualifications. We respectfully encourage her swift confirmation.”