US senators confirm Olivia Trusty to serve as commissioner on the FCC—a move that should give the commission the quorum needed to make decisions on almost all agency business, with Republicans holding a 2-1 majority
By Donny Jackson, Editor
US senators today voted to confirm Olivia Trusty to serve as commissioner on the FCC—a move that should give the commission the quorum needed to make decisions on almost all agency business, with Republicans holding a 2-1 majority.
Senators reportedly voted 53-45 to confirm Trusty, a Republican who was nominated for the position by President Donald Trump early this year. Trusty’s confirmation hearing was conducted more than two months ago, on April 9.
Technically, Trusty’s confirmation today only allows her to complete a commissioner term that is due to expire on June 30—a date that is less than two weeks away. However, media reports indicate that the Senate is expected to conduct a second vote on Trusty that would let her serve as an FCC commissioner for a five-year term that would begin on July 1.
Trusty’s confirmation means the FCC will have three commissioners–the minimum number needed to conduct regular commission business—during the next open FCC meeting scheduled for June 26. Trusty will join Republican FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Democrat Commissioner Anna Gomez, who were the two remaining FCC commissioners after the departures of Republican Nathan Simington and Democrat Geoffrey Starks from the commission earlier this month.
Carr welcomed Trusty to the FCC, where she will join him to provide Republicans with a 2-1 majority.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Olivia Trusty on her confirmation to serve as an FCC Commissioner after President Trump’s nomination earlier this year,” Carr said in a prepared statement. “Olivia will be a great addition to the Commission. Olivia brings years of valuable experience to the agency, including her public service on Capitol Hill and time in the private sector.
“I am confident that her deep expertise and knowledge will enable her to hit the ground running, and she will be an exceptionally effective FCC Commissioner. I look forward to welcoming Olivia to the Commission as a colleague and advancing an agenda that will deliver great results for the American people.”
Trusty received congratulations from leaders of several industry associations, including Brian Fontes, CEO of NENA – The 9-1-1 Association.
“NENA welcomes the US Senate’s action in confirming Olivia Trusty to serve as a member of the Federal Communications Commission,” Fontes said in a prepared statement.
“As a former senior aide to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ms. Trusty played a key role in negotiating Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation, and we look forward to working with her and her FCC colleagues to speed the adoption of reliable, robust, information-rich 9-1-1 services.”
APCO CEO/Executive Director Mel Maier echoed this sentiment. “APCO congratulates Olivia Trusty on her confirmation as FCC Commissioner, where she will bring a wealth of telecommunications acumen and experience to her post,” Maier said in a prepared statement provided to IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “We look forward to working with her to advance public-safety communications priorities.”
NATE President and CEO Todd Schlekeway also applauded the Senate’s confirmation of Trusty.
“NATE congratulates Olivia Trusty on her well-deserved confirmation to the FCC,” Schlekeway said in a prepared statement. “Olivia brings to the Commission a deep understanding of both telecommunications policy and the real-world infrastructure challenges that shape broadband deployment in America. Her experience on Capitol Hill and with regulatory frameworks uniquely equips her to hit the ground running on Day 1.
“NATE members know firsthand how critical it is to have FCC leadership that appreciates the vital role of our workforce in expanding connectivity. Olivia’s track record demonstrates a strong commitment to closing the digital divide through balanced, pro-growth policies that empower the deployment professionals building out 5G, rural broadband, and emergency communications systems nationwide.”
