• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, Yesterday

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Olivia Trusty to the Federal Communications Commission by a 53-45 vote.

Trusty's appointment will give the agency a 2-1 Republican majority, positioning it to enact policies favored by President Donald Trump.

Although established by Congress as a five-member agency, the FCC has only had two commissioners since early June, when Republican Nathan Simington and Democrat Geoffrey Starks exited the agency.

Consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge, which has opposed right-wing policy initiatives, on Tuesday called on Trump to nominate a Democrat to the commission.

"An independent FCC is critical for protecting it from political interference, particularly in the face of an administration that is actively working to silence voices of dissent," Alisa Valentin, broadband policy director at the group, stated.

“Now that Olivia Trusty has been confirmed, the administration and Senate must nominate and confirm a Democratic nominee to ensure the agency can effectively meet its mission, rather than sycophantically bend to President Trump’s will.”

Valentin also described Trusty as a "highly qualified communications policy leader," adding: "While we may not agree on many issues, we hope to work with Ms. Trusty on restoring the critical work of the FCC including closing the digital divide, promoting competition, and protecting consumers in our communications ecosystem."

Prior to joining the FCC, Trusty worked in various capacities on Capitol Hill since 2013, most recently as policy director on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.