NHMC, Free Press Outline Goals for Biden's Pick to Replace Sohn as FCC Nominee
The National Hispanic Media Coalition and Free Press (FP) offer dueling guidelines to the White House for selecting a new FCC nominee to replace ex-pick Gigi Sohn, amid continued fallout from the former candidate’s Tuesday announcement she asked President Joe Biden to withdraw her from consideration (see [Ref 2303070082]). Sohn’s supporters continued to lay blame Wednesday on opponents whose treatment of her during an often fractious and acrid year-plus confirmation process led to the withdrawal.
Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, one of the Commerce Committee Democrats who recently shifted to being undecided on Sohn (see 2303030074), told us he continued to harbor concerns this week about Sohn’s past “statements on rural America, among other matters," but he “ultimately” balked at voting to advance the nominee because “she didn’t have enough votes to get through” the full Senate “and the White House knew it.” Lobbyists noted chatter that Tester and other undecided Commerce Democratic members wouldn’t commit to voting for Sohn at the committee level unless Senate leaders gave them assurances there were enough votes to confirm her on the floor.
Biden shouldn’t pick a nominee who has “worked or lobbied in any capacity" in the last five years "for any of the industries that fall under the FCC’s regulatory oversight," FP said Wednesday. The future FCC nominee should support Communications Act Title II “oversight and other laws that give the FCC the authority to prevent unjust discrimination, promote affordable access and protect public safety.” The candidate should have “a demonstrated history of advocacy for the public interest in communications-policy debates” and must be “committed to public engagement in rulemakings and other agency proceedings,” the group said: Biden should pick someone who “has a proven record of advocacy for the rights of low-income families and communities of color.”
NHMC renewed its push for Biden to nominate a member of the Latino community to the FCC vacancy (see 2301050062). The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also is expected to soon push Biden to name a Latino to the commission, lobbyists said. The last person to represent the community on the commission, Gloria Tristani, left in September 2001 (see 0109110015).
“The diversity of this country is one of our greatest strengths, and our federal government and its institutions, such as the FCC, should reflect the nation’s demographics,” said NHMC CEO Brenda Castillo. “Now more than ever, it is time for the Biden administration to nominate a Latine commissioner to the FCC.” Representation “of Latines at agencies like the FCC is a necessary component of meaningful progress, but for far too long, it has been one step forward, two steps back,” she said: “This position is an opportunity for the administration to ensure that Latine representation is not just a trendy topic, but an integral part of an inclusive government that reflects its people.