Biden’s internet promises in limbo amid long battle over FCC nominee

Almost 250 groups will send a letter Friday to congressional leaders, calling for the Senate to vote to confirm Democratic nominee Gigi Sohn

By Cat Zakrzewski

and

Cristiano Lima-Strong

October 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EDT

Gigi Sohn, a fellow at Georgetown Law's Institute for Technology Law and Policy, testifies before the House. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

8 min

The nation’s telecommunications regulator has been without a Democratic majority for the entirety of President Biden’s 21-month tenure, hamstringing efforts to restore open internet protections and close the digital divide.

Breaking the deadlock at the Federal Communications Commission hinges on confirming Gigi Sohn, a longtime public interest advocate and former Democratic FCC official who was first nominated by the White House nearly a year ago. As the midterm elections approach and Democrats’ ability to retain their narrow control of the Senate remains uncertain, Sohn’s supporters are warning Congress that the clock is ticking to lock in a majority at the agency.