Senate Confirms Gomez to FCC, Ushering in Coming Democratic Majority
The Senate voted 55-43 Thursday to confirm Anna Gomez to the FCC, paving the way for the commission to soon shift to a Democratic majority for the first time since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. The commission has been in a 2-2 partisan tie throughout that period. The chamber invoked cloture on Gomez by the same margin earlier in the afternoon.
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Gomez drew unanimous backing from all 50 Senate Democratic caucus members present Thursday and only five Republicans, reflecting expectations that the nominee would get only minimal GOP support. The Republicans voting yes were Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Todd Young of Indiana. Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., didn't vote.
Public Knowledge CEO Chris Lewis prematurely hailed Gomez's confirmation prior to the final vote. She is "publicly committed to supporting FCC authority over broadband to preserve an open internet and close the digital divide," Lewis said: "This is critically important as the long delay in filling the five-person commission has left many key broadband policy priorities unfinished."