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Floor Speech
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Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Anna Gomez, President Joe Biden's nominee to serve on the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC is one of the premier, expert Agencies in the Federal Government, responsible for overseeing the wires and the radio waves that have become the backbone of our economy and our communities.
But since the beginning of the Biden administration nearly 1,000 days ago, the Agency has been hamstrung in implementing critical communications priorities due to the absence of a fifth Commissioner. With Ms. Gomez as a Commissioner, that will finally change. The Federal Communications Commission will have the power to take on the big-dollar interests that seek to block critical consumer protections at every turn.
I support Ms. Gomez's nomination because I know she is ready for these fights. She knows that today broadband is not a luxury. Like running water or heat, broadband is an essential utility. Without high- quality and affordable broadband, students cannot learn, small businesses cannot reach new customers, entrepreneurs cannot innovate, and seniors cannot access telemedicine. The FCC's authority must reflect the essential nature of the internet in American life, and that is exactly what Ms. Gomez will provide.
With three Democratic Commissioners, the FCC can act swiftly to restore net neutrality and protect a free and open internet. My Republican colleagues will say that Congress should act on net neutrality instead of the Federal Communications Commission, but their Big Cable and Big Tech industry allies will be in their ear with crocodile-tear arguments about an out-of-control Agency usurping the will of Congress.
Well, if Republicans really want to take on this problem through legislation and not administrative action, then they should be prepared to join me when I reintroduce my net neutrality legislation in the coming weeks. They can be on record supporting internet freedom or siding with the broadband behemoths.
It has been nearly 6 years since the Trump FCC repealed net neutrality. We cannot wait any longer for Republicans to come to their senses. We must confirm Ms. Gomez so that the FCC can act without delay.
We must also confirm Ms. Gomez because the FCC must address other critical communications issues, including technology accessibility for people with disabilities, protecting local community media, and closing the homework gap.
I am particularly concerned about the future of the $7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund, which I passed during the pandemic. Over the past 2 years, thanks to the Commission's hard work, the Emergency Connectivity Fund has provided laptops, tablets, and internet services to more than 17 million students and teachers. Those resources are particularly critical for Black and Brown and immigrant and low-income populations who often lack access to the internet at home.
Unfortunately, this program will soon be out of money, potentially disconnecting millions of students and driving a deeper wedge into the digital divide. We cannot let that happen.
I stand ready to work with my colleagues to extend this essential funding, and I know that Ms. Gomez, like Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, will be a fierce advocate for students at the Commission so that we can keep closing the homework gap and provide every child with access to the 21st-century tools they will need.
We stand at a critical moment to ensure a just broadband future for everyone. We need Anna Gomez on the Federal Communications Commission. She has the knowledge, the values, and the judgment the Commission needs.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting her nomination.
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