By James Erwin
The FCC is responsible for overseeing America’s vast communications infrastructure, including everything from broadband internet to broadcast television and radio. It can impact millions of American households and businesses by regulating one of the most important sectors of the economy, playing a pivotal role in how Americans connect and innovate. This council of five is one of the most powerful bodies in the US government – the president and the Senate must get it right when nominating and confirming commissioners.
With his nomination of Olivia Trusty to serve as the newest FCC commissioner, President Trump is getting it right. With the customary resignation of Jessica Rosenworcel, who ran the agency for President Biden, President Trump and Senate Republicans have the opportunity to fill her seat with someone who may one day end up chair herself. There are few, if any, better candidates than Trusty.
I met Olivia Trusty as a young Senate staffer, wet behind the ears. I got to sit in on a staff meeting between our office’s counsel and her on broadband expansion bills, eagerly taking notes as the grown-ups talked. I was immediately struck by her professionalism and deep knowledge of telecom issues, as well as her commitment to her boss, then-Chairman Roger Wicker, and his vision for the Senate Commerce Committee. While I never got to know her extremely well, through occasional meetings and Zoom calls over the next couple of years, I remained impressed with her ability and mastery of policy.
Sometimes, you just know when you are in the presence of someone who really gets it, who knows what they are talking about. Olivia Trusty was one such person.
In addition to her professional ability, her extensive background makes her undoubtedly qualified to manage the challenges facing the FCC. During her tenure as Policy Director for the Senate Commerce Committee, she shaped policies that promote broadband expansion, consumer protection, and the creation of a competitive digital marketplace.
Following Senator Wicker as he moved to Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Trusty proved her ability to manage complex national security issues with diverse stakeholders, from public interest groups to industry leaders to lawmakers. As the United States faces growing threats to communication networks, having an FCC Commissioner who understands the nuances of national security is essential. Her leadership would ensure that America maintains its secure communications systems while fostering an environment of innovation and economic growth.
Olivia Trusty is the kind of commissioner the FCC ought to have – someone who understands the challenges of telecommunication policy, national security, and cybersecurity. The Senate Commerce Committee and the U.S. Senate should confirm Olivia Trusty so that the FCC and the American people can benefit from her expertise.
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