News
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The policy director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation has been nominated to serve as an FCC commissioner.
Olivia Trusty’s nomination was first announced by now-President Donald Trump on Truth Social last week, a social-media platform owned by Trump Media.
“She has fought tirelessly to grow the economy, empower innovation, and reignite the American Dream,” Trump’s Jan. 16 post stated.
He said Trusty would work with Brendan Carr, the newly named FCC chairman, “to cut regulations at a record pace.”
Trump also said they’d “protect free speech, and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast internet.”
Trump also made mention of Trusty’s academic background, which includes Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Her nomination is pending Senate approval.
In the meantime, the FCC’s remaining Democratic commissioners reacted to the news.
Ana M. Gomez released a statement congratulating Trusty.
“She is widely respected, a consummate professional, and has a strong background on communications policy,” Gomez stated. “I welcome the opportunity to work with her.”
Additionally, Geoffrey Starks, the other Democrat on the FCC, also congratulated her.
“She is a committed public servant with extensive knowledge of the communications sector,” the statement from Starks read. “As clearly exhibited
by her work in the Senate, she is an effective policy-maker, which will benefit the agency and the American people going forward.”
Meanwhile, in the days since Trusty’s nomination, Jessica Rosenworcel, the former FCC chair, has departed the commission.
Replacing her as chair is Brendan Carr, who was named the FCC’s chair with an official order signed by Trump on Inauguration Day.
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