Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Applauds Nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel for Chair and Gigi Sohn for Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Applauds Nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel for Chair and Gigi Sohn for Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission

Washington, D.C.—On Tuesday, President Biden nominated Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to be permanent Chair of the Federal Communications Commission. Rosenworcel would become the first woman to lead the FCC. President Biden also nominated Gigi Sohn to be a Commissioner of the FCC, which would make Sohn the first openly LGBTQ individual in the position. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC issues the following statement:

“We applaud and wholeheartedly support Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn on their nominations, which will add more diversity and representation to the Commission.

Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has been committed to leading the FCC in the interest of underserved communities throughout her tenure as a Commissioner and as Acting Chairwoman since 2012. She has worked closely with Asian American and other community leaders and advocates to bridge the digital divide that affects our most vulnerable populations. Under Rosenworcel’s leadership, the FCC has expanded broadband access and equipment for students, patients, and low-income families; provided resources and toolkits in many Asian languages; supported expanding coverage mappings and data policies to better understand the needs of underserved communities; and promoted progressive policies to increase diversity in television and other media.

Gigi Sohn is a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy, a Benton Senior Fellow & Public Advocate, and cofounder of Public Knowledge. In her role as counselor to then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, she advocated for stronger consumer protections and rights, fair and affordable access to broadband and telecommunications services, and competitive innovation.

We call on the Senate to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn swiftly. The confirmations of Rosenworcel and Sohn will build a FCC that is better equipped to effectively protect consumers and implement more equitable policies for all of our communities.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC leads the Asian American Tech Table with OCA National Center. On August 23, 2021, we endorsed Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel for the permanent Chair position, and submitted a letter to President Biden, urging for her nomination.”

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Advancing Justice | AAJC maintains robust government engagement at all levels on issues of telecommunications, technology, and media. Advancing Justice | AAJC’s work focuses on ensuring that the principles of opportunity, fairness, and equity are protected online.