[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8937-S8938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel

  Mr. President, on Jessica Rosenworcel, the Senate will vote to 
confirm a remarkable, highly experienced, and historic nominee: Jessica 
Rosenworcel to be the Chair of the FCC, the Federal Communications 
Commission. Ms. Rosenworcel has served as a Commissioner at the FCC for 
nearly a decade, the past 10 months as Acting Chair.
  I believe she will receive great bipartisan support as she becomes 
the first woman ever confirmed by this Chamber to lead the FCC. Ms. 
Rosenworcel is exactly the right person for the job in 2021. She has 
set herself apart as one of the Nation's leading champions for more 
affordable and accessible internet.
  After the FCC repealed net neutrality during the Trump 
administration, the best thing the Senate can do is confirm someone 
with a proven record of standing on the side of American consumers.
  Ms. Rosenworcel will also step in as Chair at a time when the FCC is 
carrying out the important task of expanding broadband to millions of 
Americans who have long been left behind. Ms. Rosenworcel is keenly 
aware of the immense damage that the digital divide has caused our 
country. It has shut out rural, urban, and low-income Americans, 
including far too many women and people of color for whom basic 
internet access remains unavailable or unaffordable, even as it is a 
necessity in the 21st century.
  Ms. Rosenworcel has long focused on these issues, and I am confident 
that,

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under her leadership, the FCC will make immense progress in addressing 
these challenges.
  Americans don't want to see their internet bills go up and up and up. 
They don't want to have to drive long distances at late hours just so 
their kids can finish homework at public libraries. And they want 
telemedicine to be available so they can be in the best of health.
  No. Every American wants and deserves fast, affordable, and reliable 
internet access directly in their homes. Already this year, as a result 
of the President's infrastructure bill, we have made tremendous strides 
in closing the digital divide. We will build on that progress by 
confirming Ms. Rosenworcel today so that Americans can rest assured 
that they will have an FCC fighting for them.