By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Joe Biden selected a Federal Communications Commission seat. A U.S. Senate Committee heard Wednesday that she doesn’t support government regulation of broadband prices.

Gigi Sohn is a former top aide to Tom Wheeler and was FCC Chairman under President Barack Obama. She said that it would take the FCC at least a full year to reinstate landmark neutrality regulations which were repealed under Donald Trump in 2017.

Marsha Blackburn asked Sohn if she supports FCC regulation on broadband rates. Sohn answered: “No. This was an easy choice.

Obama’s FCC adopted net neutrality regulations in 2015. They prohibit internet service providers blocking traffic or offering fast lanes for a fee.

It was important for FCC to act without Congress’ approval, she said.

Sohn stated, in reference to consumer and public safety protections, “I am concerned that broadband is an essential service has been lacking any oversight over the past four years.”

Sohn indicated that she wants Congress to fix net neutrality so there is no rematch of the battle between administrations.

She stated, “I’m as tired as any other pingpong player,” and said it was important that the FCC act in the absence Congress.

Separately Jessica Rosenworcel (FCC Chairman) stated Monday in written comments that she did not intend to regulate broadband rates, either directly nor indirectly.

She stated that the net neutrality rules for 2015 “expressly avoid future prescriptive industry-wide rate regulations.” Elle stated that she supported this approach in the past. She would continue to support the same approach in future.

Biden was unable to nominate for the FCC until nine months after he left. The FCC is currently divided 2-2 among Republicans and Democrats, so it has been slow to resolve key issues.

Rosenworcel was nominated by the Commerce Committee on Wednesday.