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.
Privacy
Experts Warn Congress of ‘Surveillance Pricing’ Fueled by Lax Privacy Laws
Weak data privacy laws need to be strengthened, witnesses say
Funding
Senate Passes Bill to Protect USF from Weak ISPs
Bill requires ISPs to disclose financial strength to receive funds
BEAD
Paul Dabbar Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Commerce
'It is absolutely ridiculous that the secretary can just decide I like this or don’t like that,' said Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev. 'He has no right to rescind our money.'
Antitrust
Senate Bill Attacks Apple, Google App Store Dominance
Bill continues struggle with Big Tech that began in 2021.
BEAD
More Than 40 Lawmakers Urge Lutnick to Reverse New BEAD Guidance
'We fear this opportunity would be squandered by the restructuring notice,' the lawmakers wrote.
USF
USF Working Group Relaunched
The fund's contribution factor will decrease slightly to 36 percent for the third quarter.
C-SPAN
Senators Urge Streaming Providers To Carry C-SPAN
C-SPAN faces a financial crisis as cable networks decline.
Congress
Senate Votes to Repeal Biden FCC’s Wi-Fi Hotspots Rule
House companion effort led by Rep. Fulcher expected to move next.
Chips
Senate Panel Advances Trusty’s FCC Nomination
Committee also approves FACT Act and another bipartisan bill impacting FCC operations.
BEAD
NTIA Nominee Roth Mostly Noncommittal on Key BEAD Issues
Roth offered no guarantees that states won’t have to restart BEAD subgrantee selections.
Democracy
Terminated FTC Democrats Vow to Take Trump to Court
A federal judge reversed a similar attempt by Trump, and an FTC lawsuit might be next.
Public Safety
Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Teenagers from Online Image Abuse
Introduced by Klobuchar and Cruz, bill would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery.
Rural
Senate Confirms Brooke Rollins to Lead USDA
Was approved in a 72-28 vote Thursday; approach to rural broadband issues was not prominently discussed in hearings.
