Incoming president Donald Trump nominated Senate aide Olivia Trusty as a new commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
If Trusty, who has served as an aide to Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), gets confirmed it would give Republicans the three-vote majority on the Commission needed to implement the incoming administration’s telecom agenda.
Until the Senate confirms her as a commissioner, the FCC will be 2-2 divided between Democrats and Republicans.
Trump, who previously tapped Brendan Carr as the next FCC chairman in November, praised the nomination.
“Olivia will work with our incredible new Chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, to cut regulations at a record pace, protect free speech, and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast Internet,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.
Trusty currently serves as policy director on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Trump says in this role, she “has fought tirelessly to grow the economy, empower innovation, and reignite the American Dream.”
A telecom industry veteran, Trusty comes to the role with plenty of telecom regulatory experience.
She served in the House of Representatives, where she earlier worked as a staffer on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which also oversees the FCC. Before taking on her roles in Congress, Trusty worked in government relations for Verizon Communications and Qwest Communications, now Lumen.
Industry advocacy organizations including INCOMPAS and NTCA also cited support for Trusty as an FCC nominee.
Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS, an industry advocacy group representing service providers serving carriers and businesses, cited her dedication to driving new choices and technology in the telecom industry.
"Olivia is a great friend to INCOMPAS and has been an incredible advocate for competition and innovation. Her deep expertise will be a tremendous asset to the Commission and bolster the new Administration's efforts to roll back onerous red tape to connect all Americans and ensure the United States remains a global leader on communications issues. We look forward to working with Olivia in this new capacity and urge the Senate to act on her nomination swiftly."
NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, said Trusty could help support its advocacy efforts for rural service providers deploying broadband.
"Through her extensive experience in both the private sector and on Capitol Hill, Olivia Trusty has a deep understanding of the broadband marketplace and the challenges of serving rural areas,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA. “Her commitment to public service and thoughtful approach to policy issues will position her well as she joins the commission.”
Service providers like AT&T, which is aggressively building out fiber to more homes in its wireline footprint, said Trusty will advocate for enabling more people with broadband via fiber and wireless facilities.
“We congratulate Olivia Trusty on her nomination to the FCC. Her experience working with the Senate Commerce Committee on important issues like broadband expansion and access to spectrum will be valuable assets to the Commission’s goal of connecting more Americans,” said Rhonda Johnson, EVP Federal Regulatory Relations at AT&T. “We look forward to working with her and the rest of the Commission toward a rational policy that incentivizes investment in broadband networks.”
If Trusty secures the confirmation, she will take over the post that current FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel holds today. After Donald Trump won the presidential election in November, Rosenworcel announced she would follow tradition and resign her position as head of the FCC on Inauguration Day. Rosenworcel’s term was set to expire on June 30.
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Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.