The Communications Workers of America and four other unions urged President Joe Biden to name Jessica Rosenworcel as permanent chair of the FCC. Those include the: American Federation of Teachers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Education Association and Service Employees International Union.
They would also like the president to fill the empty Democratic seat on the Commission with a nominee “who has a deep commitment to workers in the telecommunications industry and who understands broadband issues important to workers, students, families, and consumers.” The FCC, they say, “is an essential independent regulatory agency to help achieve universal broadband access and the vacant Democratic commissioner seat prevents the Commission from taking meaningful action to build back better.”
Since Rosenworcel was appointed acting chair in January, she’s moved quickly and effectively to help consumers during the pandemic and close the digital divide, according to the unions, which say they represent a combined eight million members. They note that under her leadership, the agency launched the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to provide internet access to low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program reimburses eligible carriers to provide discounted broadband service and $100 per eligible household reimbursement for a connected device.
Over 900 providers are participating in the program and enrollments include households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, “a thanks in large part to Acting Chair Rosenworcel’s effective outreach,” they say in a letter. She has also used her tenure to shepherd through the Emergency Connectivity Fund, addressing one of the most pressing issues impacting students throughout the pandemic – digital connectivity. “This $7.5 billion fund will ensure that students have access to a quality education regardless of their zip code,” they wrote.
Rosenworcel has presided over 20 unanimous votes, including on preliminary 3.45 GHz auction rules, yet the Commission remains understaffed, the unions assert. “There is much work to do to build back better, to close the digital divide, and our members stand ready to do it. But that work will be slowed until the vacant seat at the FCC is filled and Acting Chair Rosenworcel is appointed permanent chair.”
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