NTIA
New Rules for Tribal Broadband Program Planned for Spring 2026, NTIA Says
The agency said no more awards would be made under current rules, and that previously announced awards would not be rescinded.
Free Speech
Senate Commerce Schedules FCC Oversight Hearing
Session follows bipartisan concern over Chairman Brendan Carr’s perceived threats toward broadcast licensees.
Commerce
Cantwell, Schatz Press NTIA on Nearly $1B in Undistributed Tribal Broadband Grants
$980 million in funds remain frozen; $294 million in announced awards still undistributed.
Commerce
Senate Commerce Moves to Boost Foreign Investment in High-Tech Sectors
Committee also advances bill to counter cybersecurity risks in oil and gas pipelines.
Defense Department
Senate Passes Defense Bill Without Changes to Spectrum Language
The head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the White House oppose the provision.
Free Speech
Senators Clash Over Big Tech ‘Jawboning’ and FCC Power
At hearing, both parties said they backed free speech–but differed on its biggest threat
Free Speech
Carr Agrees to Testify Before Senate Panel on His Apparent Threats to Kimmel Show
Democrats and Republicans want answers over FCC threats to TV licenses over Kimmel’s suspension.
Spectrum
NTIA Optimistic About Upper C-band Auction
The agency said 150 megahertz could be sold off if new aircraft altimeters were widely installed.
Congress
Senate Vote-a-Rama on $9.4 Billion Rescissions Package Begins
Bill would eliminate $1.1B in public broadcasting support for PBS and NPR
AI
How a GOP Rift Over Tech Regulation Doomed a Ban on State AI Laws in Trump's Tax Bill
'I think everyone in the conservative movement agrees we need to beat China.... I just think we have different prescriptions for doing so.'
BEAD
Senate Scraps AI Moratorium
Senators voted 99-1 to scrap the language from Republicans' budget bill Tuesday morning.
Howard Lutnick
Cruz, Cantwell Still at Odds on AI Moratorium and BEAD Funding
Cantwell said a new amendment could still condition all $42.45 billion on complying, which Cruz continued to deny.
Public Safety
FCC Employee Charged With Sexual Assault, Abduction
Assistant Division Chief arrested and fired.
AI
Cruz Revises AI Moratorium, Claims it Doesn’t Target BEAD Funding
Revised moratorium relabeled as ‘voluntary’ and a ‘temporary pause’
Commerce
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.'
Spectrum
Supporters Urge Capitol Hill to Protect Unlicensed, Shared Spectrum
They worry the FCC would consider repurposing the airwaves to meet ambitious auction goals.
