Today, consumer champion and Federal Communications Commission nominee with more than 30 years of experience advocating for the public interest, Gigi Sohn, withdrew her nomination to serve as a Commissioner. President Biden previously nominated Ms. Sohn in October of 2021.
The agency has not had a full five-member commission for the entire Biden administration, hamstringing key consumer protection priorities as well as a huge swath of our nation’s work to provide high-speed broadband to those on the wrong side of the digital divide. Losing such a stalwart consumer ally who has dedicated her career to expanding broadband access, protecting consumer privacy, and fighting for net neutrality will have serious ramifications for all consumers in the years ahead.
The following can be attributed to Chris Lewis, President and CEO of Public Knowledge:
“We at Public Knowledge are obviously disappointed with this result. Gigi Sohn has been a tireless advocate and is a well-recognized expert in telecommunications policy. To not be able to find a path forward for her to serve at the Commission is a great loss.
“But, as disappointed as we are, the American public should be outraged. The hard work of the Commission to prevent digital discrimination, to curb media consolidation, and to reinstate the FCC as the agency with authority over broadband is lost by this failure. And that is what this is: a failure by elected leaders in both parties to prioritize these important public interest protections. The incessant and appalling personal attacks against Ms. Sohn, the outright lies about her character, and the deceptive tactics used to bully her will have ripple effects for both the public and any other nominees the Biden administration may want to serve in their government. This sets a dangerous precedent.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.