"Part of an Effort to Dead Lock, Disarm, & Disable the FCC": Blumenthal Lambasts Republican Obstruction of Gigi Sohn's Nomination to FCC
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, voiced his strong support for the confirmation of Gigi Sohn to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and slammed Senate Republicans’ obstruction of this qualified nominee.
“Transparency and tenacity are two very important qualities in a public interest lawyer which you have been throughout your career. And I just want to say to you, you should be proud of that career,” said Blumenthal to Sohn. “The reason you’re here is bigger than you. It’s part of an effort to dead lock, disarm, and disable the FCC.”
Blumenthal emphasized the need to have full membership on the FCC to ensure laws are enforced and pointed to several efforts currently stalled in the FCC as a result of the delay in confirming Sohn, stressing: “Right now, if you’re a consumer, you’re getting robotexts and robocalls with fraudulent disinformation, often obscene and disturbing messages. There’s a proposal now pending before the FCC to stop them. That proposal goes nowhere until you’re confirmed.”
“And what we see here today really is a double standard. This committee had no qualms about approving in 2017 an Associate General Counsel at Verizon, it was elated to approve a former president of the trade association CTIA, it raised no questions about conflict of interest with respect to them,” Blumenthal continued. “There’s ample reason, abundant reason to be satisfied with the answers you have given so far to the chairman's excellent questions. I hope we’ll move forward to approve your nomination.”
Video of Blumenthal’s opening remarks can be found here and the transcript is copied below.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thanks, Madam Chair. Thank you for being here today and for answering these questions so forthrightly and candidly. I want to join Chairman Cantwell in thanking you for your transparency, but also your tenacity.
Transparency and tenacity are two very important qualities in a public interest lawyer which you have been throughout your career. And I just want to say to you, you should be proud of that career. You should be proud of being here today and answering these questions and facing down these illusory innuendos and allegations and dispelling any doubt about your qualifications to be a member of the FCC and you are absolutely right.
The reason you're here is bigger than you. It's part of an effort to dead lock, disarm, and disable the FCC. And for folks who may not know what FCC is, the Federal Communications Commission, and may have no idea why it matters that we have full membership on the FCC, we need to recognize that it is stymied and stalled in enforcing the law. We passed a myriad of laws here in the United States Congress. They are dead letter if they are not enforced.
And what we see here today really is a double standard. This committee had no qualms about approving in 2017 an Associate General Counsel at Verizon, it was elated to approve a former president of the trade association CTIA, it raised no questions about conflict of interest with respect to them. And yes, you are always free, there's no enforcement mechanism on the letter of recusal, but so far as I understand it you have no intention as you sit here to withdraw that letter. Correct?
Sohn: Correct.
Blumenthal: So let me come to the heart of that. Right now, if you're a consumer, you're getting robotexts and robocalls with fraudulent disinformation, often obscene and disturbing messages. There's a proposal now pending before the FCC to stop them. That proposal goes nowhere until you're confirmed. Correct?
Sohn: That's correct.
Blumenthal: And will you commit to approve a consumer protection law against those robocalls and robotexts if you're confirmed?
Sohn: Absolutely.
Blumenthal: Right now before the commission, there's a proposal that would give more access to people who live in apartment buildings. One-third of America lives in apartment buildings. Often there are revenue sharing agreements with the broadband providers to reduce or entirely eliminate competition to give them more access and lower costs. Lower prices for broadband with more choices. That proposal to prevent that kind of stymieing of competition is pending before the FCC. It goes nowhere unless you’re confirmed, correct?
Sohn: I would agree 100%. That's one that I don't think the chair, as good as she is at getting 4-0 decisions, would be able to get a 4-0 decision on that. That one is going to be deadlocked.
Blumenthal: So let me ask you. Will you commit to approve better access for broadband for people who live in apartment buildings.
Sohn: Well I have to review the record but that obviously is my inclination.
Blumenthal: I want to thank you for, again, your willingness to serve. The Federal Communications Commission has jurisdiction over issues of consumer protection. They are vital to the future of America. We are concerned about inflation and rising costs. The FCC can do something about it, and I hope that my colleagues will be satisfied. There's ample reason, abundant reason to be satisfied with the answers you have given so far to the chairman's excellent questions. I hope we'll move forward to approve your nomination. Thank you for answering my question.
Sohn: Thank you.
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