frameworks that ensure the American Dream is within reach for everyone. This includes ... He is the first Indian-America
September 29, 2017 Hon. John Thune, Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation 512 Senate Dirksen Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Hon. Bill Nelson, Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation 425 Hart Dirksen Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson: The Hispanic Leadership Fund supports the reconfirmation of Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai. Throughout his tenure at the FCC—both as a Commissioner and now as Chairman—he has repeatedly proven himself to be a public official who is rooted in equality and transparency. The Hispanic Leadership Fund (HLF) fully endorses his continued role as Chairman and urges the U.S. Senate to reconfirm him. HLF is a non-partisan organization that has advocated since 2008 for public policy frameworks that ensure the American Dream is within reach for everyone. This includes the kind of common sense regulatory policies that Chairman Pai has advocated for since his first day at the FCC. From addressing robocalls to publishing proposals and orders before they’re voted on, the Chairman has brought a sensible approach to the FCC that prioritizes consumer interests above all. Challenging the status quo is not always easy, and Chairman Pai has faced pushback from special interest groups who fundraise off divisive issues, most notably ‘net neutrality’. As we stated back in April when the Chairman announced his intension to “reverse the mistake of Title II” reclassification of the internet, HLF believes that a primary reason the internet has flourished is because it operated in a light-touch regulatory environment. This approach worked well under the presidencies of both Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush, and we believe it should be restored. In doing so, the flow of investment and innovation will pick up to the benefit of working families across the country. Beyond his commitment to sensible regulatory policy, Chairman Pai is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. He is the first Indian-American to Chair the FCC and is unequivocally committed to ensuring that all Americans—regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation—have the opportunity to participate and thrive in the digital era rather than finding themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. In less than a year as Chairman, he has already catapulted the issue of America’s digital divide into the spotlight. Chairman Pai took initiative to reinstate the Advisory
Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) in which 31 appointees, including myself, provide counsel to the Commission regarding how best to empower disadvantaged communities and accelerate the entry of small businesses into the media, digital news and information, and audio and video programming industries. Additionally, the Committee will provide recommendations on how to ensure disadvantaged communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks. Unfortunately, in recent years, the activity of the ACDDE had been minimized at the FCC under previous chairmen. Finally, we believe strongly that the reconfirmation of Chairman Pai should not fall victim to today’s tumultuous political games and an environment that too often places blind partisanship above the public interest. The U.S. Senate should recognize that before them is a highly qualified, committed, and fair nominee whose reconfirmation will continue to put the interests of real, everyday Americans at the helm of the FCC. We respectfully urge all Senators to vote to reconfirm Ajit Pai as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Sincerely,
Mario H. Lopez President
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