Congress
Farm Bill Fails to Advance from Senate Agriculture Committee
Impasse leaves rural broadband provisions, including ReConnect reauthorization, on hold.
BEAD
Questions Remain After NTIA’s Review of Billions in Broadband Grants, GAO Says
Watchdog says NTIA did not provide updated data or outcomes for awards flagged during Trump administration review.
Congress
Broadcasters Support NO FAKES Act
Senate bill would protect Americans from unauthorized AI deepfakes.
Expert Opinion
Evan Swarztrauber: Congress Needs to Step In on Broadband Expansion
Aggressive FCC enforcement and congressional action is necessary to establish a uniform national standard on pole-attachment cost-sharing and timelines, the author writes.
Social Media
Tech CEOs Summoned to Congress Again to Testify on Social Media Risk for Kids
The hearing is set for June 23, which is recognized as Social Media Victims Remembrance Day.
Third Way
Bill Introduced to Expand Enrollment of Lifeline Program
State grants would support program outreach and enrollment.
Rural
Capito Bill Tightens FCC Vetting of Broadband Providers
Measure targets accountability in how federal broadband funds are awarded
Commerce
New Senate Bill Would Halt Federal Funding for Trump’s AI Executive Order
Legislation filed as an amendment to the upcoming Senate appropriations package.
JD Vance
Broadband Affordability Falters in 2025
In spite of the political salience of 'affordability,' federal rollbacks, industry pressure, and stalled state efforts took a toll on low-income Americans' broadband.
Expert Opinion
Ediberto Roman: Why Media Consolidation Is a Competition and Democratic Problem
Media sector mergers have increasingly narrowed ownership diversity, which has reframed how companies produce and distribute information, and how we consume it.
Free Speech
Senators Press FCC Chair for First Time Since Kimmel Controversy
Senators confront Carr on broadcast influence, consolidation, and FCC independence
AI
Trump’s AI Executive Order Triggers Concern
Lawmakers object to plan that could let White House sue states over AI laws
EFF
President Trump to Sign Executive Order on AI at 4 p.m.
BREAKING: White House action could have dramatic impact on the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program
Rural
USDA Nominee Glen Smith Vows Review of Rural Broadband Programs
During his nomination hearing, lawmakers pressed on coordinating USDA’s broadband programs and reviewing stalled energy projects.
John Thune
Bipartisan Senate Aides Expect to Unveil USF Modernization Framework by 2026
Reform effort seeks fair contributions to the Universal Service Fund from modern internet providers.
What's New
‘Social Media is a Cancer’: Making Sense of the Charlie Kirk Assassination
Connecting the dots between Utah politics and culture, the hyper-partisan world of social media, and a tragic political assassination.
