House Appropriations Passes FY26 Budget Impacting NTIA
$47 million allocation for National Telecommunications and Information Administration includes amendment blocking federal rate-setting in broadband deployment.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2025 – House appropriators voted 34-28 Wednesday, Sept. 10, to cut annual funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and attach new restrictions to its flagship broadband program.
The House Appropriations Committee passed the fiscal year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill allocating $47 million for NTIA, about 20 percent less than the agency received in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, but in line with President Donald Trump’s budget request.
The bill faced backlash from Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., for leaving in place Trump’s freeze on Digital Equity Act funding imposed in May.
“President Trump's administration has stolen resources for programs and services across the federal government, including several in this bill,” DeLauro said in opening remarks. He “has frozen programs that provide seniors, veterans, rural families and people with disabilities, with skills and tools they need to access the Internet.”
During the full committee markup, lawmakers adopted by voice vote an amendment from Chair Hal Rogers, R-Ky., that sharpened existing policy riders impacting the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program.
The new language directs NTIA that it “shall not approve” any state BEAD plan that requires or incentivizes providers to offer specific broadband rates, including low-cost options or middle-class affordability strategies.
The spending bill passed Wednesday covers the Departments of Commerce (NTIA, NIST, NOAA, USPTO, EDA, etc.), Justice (DOJ, FBI, DEA, Antitrust Division, etc.), and Science agencies (NASA, NSF), plus related independent agencies.
The House bill’s approach contrasts sharply with the Senate’s version, which funds NTIA at $55 million, plus $2 million for facilities management and construction. The Senate bill does not include restrictions on state affordability strategies under BEAD, leaving the two chambers to reconcile their differences later this year.
The day prior, House appropriators had advanced the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, voting 34–27 along party lines to reject a Democratic amendment to restore $535 million in advance funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, offered by Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine.
The outcome of that vote on Tuesday leaves intact the $1.1 billion funding rescission to CPB enacted in July.
Member discussion