FCC Vacancies Stunt President Biden’s Internet Ambitions

The drumbeat of advocacy for universal internet access in the US became louder during the Covid-19 pandemic and was amplified by President Biden early in his presidency as he laid out a New Deal-like vision for the future of infrastructure and connectivity. Unfortunately, though, an agency responsible for carrying out the specifics of that vision has been paralyzed by a baffling situation that could inadvertently put Republican appointees of former President Donald Trump in the driver’s seat. More than eight months into his term, Biden still hasn’t nominated an official leader of the Federal Communications Commission or filled the FCC’s other vacancy. The FCC is supposed to have five commissioners, but if Biden doesn’t act, it could soon be left with just one Democrat, two Republicans and two vacancies. The implications of a lame-duck FCC are painfully far-reaching. The agency has important work to do after the pandemic laid bare the US digital divide, which continues to contribute immensely to the country’s enduring racial and economic inequalities. It’s not as if Biden doesn’t have a clear choice; Jessica Rosenworcel, who was widely expected to lead the FCC, is the acting chair, and her agenda aligns with that of the administration. Unless she is nominated and confirmed, however, she will have to leave at the end of 2021. Without a permanent FCC chair, the push to make internet access fairer for all Americans will remain just another talking point.

[Tara Lachapelle is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the business of entertainment and telecommunications.]