THEN THERE WERE THREE — From left, newly confirmed Commissioner Olivia Trusty, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and Commissioner Anna Gomez will take their seats in the Commission meeting room during the FCC’s upcoming June 26 Open Meeting. With Trusty’s confirmation, the Commission can now move forward with full rulemaking authority, clearing the way for key votes on spectrum policy, broadband deployment, and infrastructure streamlining.
UPDATE – The U.S. Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty for a full five-year term as commissioner of the FCC this afternoon in a 53–45 vote. The tally matched the Senate’s vote the night before, which approved Trusty to serve the remaining days of former Chair Jessica Rosenworcel’s term, ending June 30.
Trusty was nominated for both the short-term appointment and the full term by President Donald Trump. According to the White House, the second nomination constitutes a technical reappointment, allowing Trusty to begin her full five-year term at the FCC on July 1.
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a 53–45 vote, restoring a Republican majority to the agency and potentially ushering in new momentum for wireless infrastructure deployment nationwide. Trusty joins Chair Brendan Carr and Commissioner Anna Gomez as the FCC regains a quorum, just ahead of its scheduled June 26 Open Meeting.
Trusty, a veteran congressional staffer, previously served as policy director for the Senate Commerce Committee and worked for telecommunications-focused lawmakers including Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH). She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA in Government from Georgetown University. Her policy background is powerful in rural broadband, spectrum policy, and infrastructure streamlining—issues that closely align with the needs of the nation’s wireless contracting sector.
Her confirmation was applauded by NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, which emphasized her grasp of the industry’s day-to-day realities.
“NATE congratulates Olivia Trusty on her well-deserved confirmation to the FCC. Olivia brings to the Commission a deep understanding of both telecommunications policy and the real-world infrastructure challenges that shape broadband deployment in America,” said Todd Schlekeway, NATE President & CEO.
“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,” Schlekeway continued. “We look forward to working with Commissioner Trusty and the entire Commission to advance shared priorities—streamlining permitting, unlocking more spectrum, enhancing workforce safety, and ensuring America leads the world in wireless innovation.”
Trusty’s arrival at the Commission is expected to bolster deregulatory efforts, particularly those that reduce friction in infrastructure permitting at the local and state levels. Chair Brendan Carr has already signaled a renewed focus on eliminating regulatory delays and promoting the faster deployment of wireless infrastructure initiatives, which now stand a better chance of advancing with a Republican majority.
In a similar vein, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) President and CEO Tim Donovan praised Trusty’s confirmation and the expertise she brings to the table. “Olivia has long been a trusted expert on communications policy during her years of public service in Congress, and I couldn’t think of a better, more qualified person to fill the role,” Donovan said. “She brings vast industry knowledge and a keen understanding of rural and competitive broadband issues, which will no doubt allow her to hit the ground running on day one.”
Donovan also highlighted Trusty’s relevance to CCA members and the broader contracting ecosystem: “I look forward to working with Olivia and the Commission to further CCA member priorities, including securing access to spectrum and preserving USF support to ensure that all Americans have access to reliable broadband services.”
While Trusty’s confirmation was met with concern by some Senate Democrats who warned of increased partisanship at the Commission, her support from leading industry associations suggests her appointment could bring policy stability and deployment-focused reforms. For contractors, that may translate into streamlined timelines, reduced regulatory overhead, and increased project volume tied to rural broadband, 5G densification, and next-generation emergency communication infrastructure.
As she begins her tenure, Trusty’s leadership will be closely watched by wireless contractors who are eager to see long-standing bottlenecks—like zoning delays, workforce classification issues, and limited mid-band spectrum access—addressed in a meaningful way.
