House Democrats Want Non-Deployment Funds Maintained

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2025 – House Democrats are urging the Commerce Department to release to states $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program money, even if it’s not needed for broadband deployment projects.

Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration rescinded approval for any non-deployment initiatives, including some already underway, in June, saying more guidance would be forthcoming.

A draft executive order that circulated last week, but hasn’t been signed, would have directed the agency to withhold non-deployment funds from states that had “onerous” regulations on AI companies.