Dark Money Wins: Gigi Sohn Withdraws FCC Nomination

Gigi Sohn , Joe Biden ’s pick to end a nearly two - twelvemonth deadlock in the Federal Communications Commission , recede her nominating speech Tuesday . The outlet , which Sohn charge on stonewalling from dismal money group , means the FCC will remain without any one - company majority for the foreseeable hereafter . That 2 - 2 commissioner gridlock will prevent Democrats from pushing even moderately progressive insurance policy priorities forward because they would require Republican commissioner ’ cooperation .

Sohn did n’t bequeath the running quietly . In a fiery passing statement , she enunciate the nominating address was stymy by “ legion of cable and medium industry lobbyists ” who tried to disgrace her professional record with Lie and smears . In the end , Sohn said the “ unrelenting , dishonest and cruel onset ” on her character were only too much to bear . That ’s speculative newsworthiness for Sohn , but even worse news show for anyone optimistic about the FCC holding telecom accountable .

“ It is a sorry day for our country and our democracy when dominant industriousness , with assistance from straight-out dark money , get to opt their regulators , ” Sohn said . “ And with the help of their friends in the Senate , the muscular cable length and medium companies have done just that . ”

Photo: Pool (Getty Images)

What happened to Gigi Sohn?

Gigi Sohn is a seasoned telecommunication lawyer who co - founded the non - profit Public Knowledge , whose mission says it “ promotes freedom of construction , an undefended net , and access to affordable communication creature and creative work . ” Sohn previously served in the FCC as an adviser to Obama - geological era commissioner Tom Wheeler and was nominated by Biden to fill the charge ’s now vacant 5th seat in 2021 . What may have once seemed like a relatively straightforward political party - line nomination balloting , however , alternatively spiraled into a 16 - month political slugfest reportedly fuel by an unprecedented flow of lobbyist cash .

Last class , the top telecom companies combine reportedly spent a colossal $ 117,540,160 on political lobbying , with Comcast drop the most , accord toOpen Secrets . Comcast , according to The Washington Post , alonereportedlypaid former popular Senate Majority Leader turn dark money lobbyist Tom Daschle $ 30,000 to buttonhole on the “ Status of FCC nominations . ”

Though it ’s difficult to say for sure how much of the total telecom lobbying spend go towards stuff Sohn ’s vote , it was enough to block her nomination , not once , but twice . Biden , clearly eager to have a functioning FCC , renominated Sohn for a third clip to begin with this year . During that sentence , she confront an unrelenting wave of tone-beginning , not just from telecom groups that could stand to turn a loss out on her nominating address , but also the op - ed varlet of publication like the New York Post , The Wall Street Journal , andFox News , who accuse her of holding “ radical views . ” Those theorize radical views included tweets critical of Fox News .

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“ It ’s a tragedy , ” Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro antecedently told The Washington Post . “ We ca n’t even let people we disagree with get into place anymore without attacking them personally . ”

In the oddment , the lobbying efforts and failure of Senate Democrats to ring together were merely too much for Sohn to continue . The lawyer take her name from the track realizing it was improbable her nomination would ever be confirmed , even if she was name for a tenth clip .

“ unluckily , the American people are the real losers here , ” Sohn write . “ The FCC impasse , now over two years long , will remain so for a long clock time . As someone who has advocated for my entire calling for low-priced , accessible broadband for every American , it is ironic that the 2 - 2 FCC will remain sideline at the most consequential opportunity for broadband in our lifetimes ”

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