Blackburn to Press State on Switchout of Gomez as Head of U.S. WRC Delegation
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., plans to register concerns Monday with the State Department over the Biden administration naming Steve Lang, deputy assistant secretary of state-international information and communications policy, to replace FCC Commissioner-designate Anna Gomez as head of the U.S.…
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delegation to the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai, as expected (see 2309120074). "On multiple occasions during" Gomez's confirmation process, "I emphasized the importance of thoughtfully proceeding ... to ensure the U.S. remains well positioned for the WRC," which begins Nov. 20, Blackburn said in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken we obtained ahead of its release. "Ideally, the Senate would have delayed Gomez's confirmation vote until after" the conference's conclusion and State "would have been more transparent in its contingency planning and execution." That transition "was handled irresponsibly," Blackburn said: The administration "has shown little regard for the ramifications of its actions on global spectrum policy or the need to protect U.S. leadership in telecommunications." Blackburn pressed for Lang to "brief me and my staff" before Oct. 13 "on his priorities for the WRC and the continued role -- if any" that Gomez will play in the conference. "It is important for members of Congress to be informed about this transition and how it will affect our representation before" the ITU, Blackburn said. State didn't comment.