Biden Names Jessica Rosenworcel FCC Chair

Jessica Rosenworcel

President Biden is moving to fill two openings at the Federal Communications Commission, nominating Jessica Rosenworcel as the commission’s chair, and former FCC staffer Gigi Sohn to a second vacant seat. Rosenworcel has been serving as the acting chair of the commission and has been on the panel since 2012. Sohn was counselor to former FCC chair Tom Wheeler and most recently served as a distinguished fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy.

In a statement, the White House says Rosenworcel has “worked to promote greater opportunity, accessibility and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st century success.”

“I am deeply humbled to be designated as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “It is an honor to work with my colleagues on the Commission and the agency’s talented staff to ensure that no matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the connections they need to live, work and learn in the digital age.”

A group of 25 senators wrote to Biden last month urging him to install Rosenworcel as permanent chair.

“We represent 17 states and a wide range of political and policy views, but one thing we have in common is a belief that there is no better qualified or more competent person to lead the FCC at this important time than Acting Chair Rosenworcel,” the lawmakers wrote. “Importantly, we believe that Acting Chair Rosenworcel will face few obstacles to her confirmation.”