Commerce
House Republicans Urge Trump to Release Broadband Funds
As GOP calls for speed, former BEAD chief warns of policy shifts.
Jericho Casper
Assistant Editor Jericho Casper graduated from University of Virginia studying telecommunications policy. She previously served as a research assistant examining state laws that restrict local governments from owning or operating broadband networks.
FCC
Republican Majority Derailed as FCC Loses Two Members
Senate to accelerate confirmation of Trump nominee Olivia Trusty following Simington’s surprise exit.
FCC
Simington Announces Early Exit from FCC
Commission to enter 1-1 partisan split with Simington and Starks stepping down
Digital Inclusion
One Year Without the Affordable Connectivity Program
Without the broadband subsidy, families are facing harsh tradeoffs to stay connected.
Funding
Tilson Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Gigapower Contract Fallout
Tilson alleged that Gigapower failed to pay nearly $20 million in invoices.
DC Circuit
Supreme Court Greenlights Trump Firings of Independent Agency Officials
Emergency stay allows President to remove NLRB, MSPB members without cause
Defense Department
FCC Votes to Block Foreign-Controlled ‘Bad Labs’
Also proposed opening 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for space-based internet at May meeting.
Free Speech
Lawyers: FTC ‘Censorship’ Inquiry Itself Violates First Amendment
Critics say the agency is acting beyond its authority by probing how platforms police speech.
House Appropriations
Carr Pressed Over FCC’s ‘Speculative’ Savings as No Budget Request Submitted
Lawmakers say only a fraction of Carr’s $567 million in cuts may be realized .
Digital Equity Act
Texas Opens $3.8 Billion Broadband Grant Window
BEAD applications due August 1 in the state that pushed for looser rules.
Funding
Commerce Department to Relaunch Tech Hubs Program
Lutnick slams Biden administration's Tech Hub picks as ‘rushed, unfair.’
FCC
FCC Approves $20 Billion Verizon–Frontier Merger
Democrat Gomez condemned the approval as a 'backroom deal.'
mergers
Verizon Ends DEI Programs as FCC Reviews $9.6B Frontier Deal
FCC Chairman Carr previously warned diversity efforts could jeopardize merger approval.
FCC
White House Pressure on Newsrooms a ‘B.F.D.,’ FCC’s Gomez Warns
Gomez said White House-directed effort to chill speech in newsrooms and online was working.
Justice Department
Fired FTC Officials Warn of ‘Corruption,’ Threat to Independent Agencies
Slaughter, Bedoya head to court May 20.
Congress
House Commerce Advances $88 Billion Spectrum Auction Plan, Turning Back Amendments
Democrats fail in bid to redirect spectrum funds to broadband affordability, 911 infrastructure, or cybersecurity in reconciliation bill.
