Re: Confirmation of Gigi Sohn for Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell:

We are writing as a collection of trade associations representing a broad cross-section of the innovation economy to urge the Senate to move expeditiously to confirm Gigi Sohn as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Together, our members include established and ascending companies in consumer-facing and business-to-business technologies, software, information and education services, as well as emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and driving U.S. leadership in innovation. Our members rely on a functioning FCC fully staffed at the Commissioner level to advance regulatory items critical to our ability to help promote a strong economy and maintain our nation’s competitiveness.

While we may have disagreements with Sohn on specific issues, we firmly believe she is highly qualified for the position. Sohn has extensive experience in technology and telecommunications policy and a long record of seeking bipartisan solutions. Moreover, she is widely respected as a passionate defender of free speech, a pragmatic thinker, a supporter of substantive and open debate, and a strong advocate to expand access to affordable broadband and critical technologies, values we believe are highly desirable for an FCC Commissioner.

The absence of a fifth Commissioner hamstrings the agency when U.S. leadership on technology policy is most needed. As authoritarian regimes around the world move to supplant U.S. leadership and restrict access to an open and free internet, we must ensure the U.S. government is well positioned to thoroughly consider and advance policies that promote democratic values.

We recognize that the Senate has a busy calendar filled with pressing national issues. We are hopeful that debate over Sohn can move quickly given the Commerce Committee’s vote to advance her nomination and her strong qualifications. We respectfully encourage her swift confirmation.

Sincerely,

Gary Shapiro

President and CEO
Consumer Technology Association

Adam Kovacevich

Founder and CEO
Chamber of Progress

Todd Thibodeaux

President and CEO
CompTIA

Matt Schruers

President
Computer & Communications Industry Association

Christian Dawson

Executive Director
Internet Infrastructure Coalition

Chip Pickering

CEO
INCOMPAS

Shirley Bloomfield

CEO
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

cc: The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation The Honorable Roger Wicker, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation