Free Press, Public Knowledge Blast 2nd Sohn Hearing

Free Press and Public Knowledge criticized Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Wednesday for setting a follow-up hearing on Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn (see 2202020069). The second meeting is expected to mainly focus on Sohn’s commitment to temporarily recuse herself from some FCC proceedings (see 2201270073) and her role as a board member for Locast operator Sports Fans Coalition. “It is unfortunate that” the absence of Communications Subcommittee Chair Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., while he recovers from a stroke “was seen by some as a reason to hold a second hearing on Gigi Sohn’s nomination, particularly when” Senate Commerce “could use the time as an opportunity to consider moving forward on privacy, spectrum, or a host of other issues pent up," said PK CEO Chris Lewis. “The hearing scheduled for next Wednesday seems like nothing more than an opportunity to give these baseless concerns raised by industry an opportunity to hobble the appointment of a consumer champion” to the FCC. “Perhaps one way to avoid that consequence would be for members to call on” Cantwell to request Sohn “withdraw her recusal letter and follow historic precedent, which is to accept the advice of the Office of Government Ethics and the FCC's General Counsel,” Lewis said. Cantwell’s decision means “we have to deal with Senator [Roger] Wicker’s [R-Miss.] disingenuous and blatant obstructionism over this crucial nomination,” said FP General Counsel Matt Wood. With Cantwell “caving to unreasonable demands from opponents to Sohn, we’re going to see a hearing full of political posturing that serves no one except industry players eager to draw out the calendar and keep the FCC deadlocked. There is plenty of blame to go around for this situation, with the White House’s indecision and delays last year, and [Wicker's] continued opportunistic nonsense.” Commerce didn’t comment.