Luján Statement on Nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel to Serve as Permanent FCC Chair

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, issued the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel to serve as the permanent chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

“After months of urging the Biden administration to appoint a permanent FCC chair and additional commissioners, I am glad that President Biden has nominated a strong leader in Jessica Rosenworcel to serve in this critical post. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has spent her career working to tackle the homework gap and ensure 100% connectivity across America, especially in rural and Tribal communities.

“Under the leadership of Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, the FCC has been able to make progress with just four commissioners. Now, I look forward to seeing the progress that the FCC will make with a full five members and Chairwoman Rosenworcel at the helm. As we have done for years, I look forward to working with her to make broadband connectivity more affordable, resilient, and secure for families in New Mexico and across America.

“I am also encouraged by the President making this a priority by nominating two experienced and thoughtful nominees, Gigi Sohn to the FCC and Alan Davidson as NTIA Administrator. I look forward meeting with them to discuss New Mexico’s needs. And I urge my colleagues in the Senate to move quickly to fully consider these qualified nominees.”

BACKGROUND: The Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband has jurisdiction over all sectors of communications, including wired and wireless broadband, consumer electronic equipment, and public safety communications. The subcommittee also is responsible for oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce, which is the federal agency primarily responsible for advising the President on telecommunications policy and managing spectrum use by the executive branch.

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