One of President Biden’s nominees to the Federal Communications Commission, Gigi Sohn, withdrew from consideration for the job Tuesday, saying she had faced “relentless, dishonest and cruel attacks on my character and career as a public interest advocate.” ”.
Ms. Sohn’s announcement came shortly after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, said he would vote against her nomination, denying her a crucial vote in a deeply divided Senate. In a statement, Manchin said the commission “must stay above the toxic partisanship that Americans are sick and tired of, and Sohn has clearly shown that she is not the person to do that.”
The FCC has been deadlocked, with two Democratic and two Republican commissioners, for years. Although the agency has passed some measures on bipartisan grounds, the split has made it impossible for the Biden administration to pursue its most ambitious priorities, such as net neutrality rules for Internet service providers.
Mr. Biden nominated Ms. Sohn to the commission in October 2021. She has long been a fixture of progressive tech politics in Washington, having pushed for consumer protection measures before serving as an aide to Tom Wheeler. , former FCC Chairman. With Ms. Con Sohn at his side, Wheeler sought sweeping net neutrality rules, which would stop internet providers from favoring certain content, and a measure to open up the market for TV set-top boxes.
But Sohn quickly faced opposition from Republicans, who accused her of being too far to the left to join the commission, which regulates Internet providers, broadcast stations and wireless carriers. Despite having the support of civil rights and public interest groups, among others, her nomination did not advance. Biden renominated her in January.
Ms. Sohn’s decision to withdraw her nomination was first reported by The Washington Post.
“It is a sad day for our country and our democracy when dominant industries, assisted by unlimited dark money, are allowed to elect their regulators,” Ms Sohn said in her statement. “And with the help of her friends in the Senate, the powerful cable and media companies have done just that.”
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, applauded Ms. Sohn’s retirement, saying the FCC was “not a place for partisan activists.”
“Now, it is time for the Biden administration to present a nominee who can be confirmed by the full Senate and who is committed to serving as a truly independent and impartial regulator,” he said.
