Biden FCC Nominee Withdraws Following Manchin Opposition Announcement

Gigi Sohn was President Joe Biden’s choice to fill the vacant FCC (Federal Communication Commission) seat. She announced her withdrawal on Tuesday.

Sohn spoke in an interview. statementThe Washington Post first published this information in its entirety. “unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks on my character and my career as an advocate for the public interest” Biden has nominated her 16 times since then. “have taken an enormous toll on me and my family.”

“It is a sad day for our country and our democracy when dominant industries, with assistance from unlimited dark money, get to choose their regulators,” She said. “And with the help of their friends in the Senate, the powerful cable and media companies have done just that.”

Sohn made the announcement following Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.), publication of a statement On Tuesday, he stated that he would “vote against Gigi Sohn for Democratic Commissioner” On the FCC.

Referring to the opposition bipartisan to her nomination “her years of partisan activism, inflammatory statements online, and work with far-left groups,” Manchin claimed that he “cannot support [Sohn’s] nomination to the FCC, and I urge the Biden Administration to put forth a nominee who can bring us together, not drive us apart.”

“Especially now, the FCC must remain above the toxic partisanship that Americans are sick and tired of,” He said: “and Ms. Sohn has clearly shown she is not the person to do that.”

Biden first nominated Sohn, a former aide to Obama administration-appointed FCC Chair Tom Wheeler, to an open seat on the five-member FCC board in October 2021, which had been vacant since January 2021, according Fair.org.

After her confirmation hearing in December 2021, she was denied the nomination. refused to disclose The Senate was given details regarding a legal issue involving nonprofit streaming services Locust, with which she was involved. This was in addition to previous issues that surfaced Referring to some controversial left-leaning posts on social media (critical of the police and conservative politicians) she has made in the past. A tech policy thinktank she established with funding from George Soros left Republicans with grave concerns about her ability remain objective.

Biden was renominating her January 20, 2023. “hoping that the Democrats’ new 51–49 Senate majority would ensure her confirmation,” Axios reported.

Sohn was present before the Senate Commerce Committee on Feb. 14. Afterward, a few Democratic senators as well as Sen. Krysten (I-Ariz.), seemed to be somewhat relaxed about the nomination, despite the fact that they were not eligible for it. “voted to move Sohn’s nomination out of committee.” With this, the vote of the committee was taken. “14 to 14 deadlock” The nomination is in danger of not reaching a full Senate vote according American for Tax Reform is a taxpayer advocacy organization.

FCC, an independent agency, regulates interstate radio and television in the 50 United States states. Congress supervises this agency and is charged with implementing and enforcement of U.S. communication laws and regulations.

Five commissioners make up the FCC. They are appointed by the President and then confirmed by Senate. Three of the five commissioners cannot be associated with the same party.

The FCC of the Biden Administration is stuck at 2 Democratic and 2 Republican commissioners, with 1 empty seat. This means that it cannot move forward. “some portions of Democrats’ agenda,” The Hill reportedYou can find them at “pushing forward action to reinstate Obama-era net neutrality laws.”

Starting at The Epoch Times