Vote on Biden’s FCC pick delayed; Sohn faces another hearing and rocky path

Enlarge / Gigi Sohn testifies during a Senate committee hearing on June 21, 2012. (credit: Getty Images | Alex Wong )

Although the Senate Commerce Committee was scheduled to vote yesterday on the nomination of Gigi Sohn to the Federal Communications Commission, it didn't happen. The vote on President Joe Biden's nomination of Sohn was delayed even as the committee voted to approve 10 other Biden nominations to various positions.

Yesterday's delay has a logical explanation: Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) suffered a stroke last week, and Sohn's confirmation needs his vote because of Republican opposition to the long-time consumer advocate who strongly supports reimposing net neutrality rules on broadband providers. Lujan is expected to make a full recovery, but his absence could further delay Sohn's nomination and other Democratic priorities in the 50-50 Senate. "On Wednesday an aide said that the New Mexico senator could return to work in four to six weeks, barring any complications," The Wall Street Journal reported.

But Sohn's nomination was already in trouble even though the Senate had plenty of time to vote on it before Lujan's health emergency. Biden nominated Sohn on October 26. The president made two other telecom choices on the same day, nominating FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a new term and picking Alan Davidson to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

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