US President Joe Biden has named Democrat Anna Gomez as his nominee for a key fifth seat on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

If approved, Gomez would break the 2-2 deadlock at the telecommunications regulatory agency, which is currently chaired by Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel.

The panel is split down the middle, with two Democratic representatives, including Rosenworcel, and two Republican members.

Biden also re-nominated two existing commissioners to the panel, Democrat Geoffrey Starks and Republican Brendan Carr, with both to serve additional five-year terms.

Gomez is a telecommunications attorney and currently serves as a senior adviser for the State Department's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

If she's elected, it will be the first time the agency has had a Democratic majority since Biden took office more than two years ago. This could be crucial for Biden and his party as it attempts to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules revoked under President Donald Trump.

Biden signed an executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules previously used under President Barack Obama in 2015, back in July 2021.

Biden's previous nominee for the vacancy, Gigi Sohn, a former FCC official, withdrew earlier this year after three hearings.

Sohn blamed industry opponents for interfering with her nomination, as her unsuccessful nomination awaited a vote for more than 16 months.

Gomez previously served as deputy administrator of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration from 2009 for four years, and has held numerous roles at the FCC during a 12-year stint. Prior to this, Gomez was a government affairs executive at what was then-Sprint Nextel.

“I congratulate Anna Gomez on her nomination to serve as FCC Commissioner," said Rosenworcel. "She brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the US stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. I wish her all the best during the confirmation process."

The FCC deadlock played a role in the US Congress allowing the spectrum auction authority of the FCC to lapse for the first time ever in March.