Lang Selection to Replace Gomez on WRC Delegation Seen Unsurprising

The administration’s selection of Steve Lang to replace Anna Gomez as head of the U.S. delegation to the World Radiocommunication Conference (see 2309120069) didn’t come as a surprise to WRC watchers. Lang was viewed as the most likely choice. An email went to members of the U.S. delegation Tuesday confirming the change. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told us before the email went out she would raise “concerns” with the State Department if this far into preparations it replaces Gomez as WRC delegation lead. The potential leadership shift was the chief reason Blackburn voted against Gomez’s confirmation both within the Senate Commerce Committee (see 2309070081) and on the chamber floor. “This is an important conference” with implications for U.S. spectrum policymaking in the years ahead, Blackburn said Tuesday. “The preparation is important,” as is “representation” of the U.S. delegation head given that person needs to be “able to respond quickly” to developments. “It should not be taken lightly or haphazardly,” she said. Lang, an economist, has been deputy assistant secretary of state-international information and communications policy since November and has held numerous postings in the department. He is expected to be designated as ambassador, which doesn't require Senate confirmation. The other potential choice, unless the State Department tapped an outsider, was Erica Barks-Ruggles, a veteran diplomat who has headed the U.S. delegation to other recent ITU meetings, including last year's plenipotentiary conference, but is nearing retirement and currently heading the U.S. delegation to UNESCO in Paris, industry officials said. Gomez was widely seen as facing a major challenge serving both as a commissioner and also as the eventual ambassador to the WRC, which starts Nov. 20 in Dubai (see 2309080060). Industry officials said they expect Gomez to remain active on WRC matters and likely attend parts of the conference as an FCC commissioner. One former delegation member said that while Gomez has led recent meetings with other nations headed into WRC, she is always joined by staff who will play the same role under Lang.