FCC
Appropriators Would Give FCC $416 Million Budget for FY2026
That’s in line with the agency’s request and up from its $390 million FY2025 budget.
BEAD
House, Senate Appropriators Would Provide NTIA $50 Million for FY2026
Lawmakers would ask for a briefing on the agency's “plans and timeline for expending all remaining” BEAD funds.
12 Days of Broadband
With Denunciation of Digital Grants as ‘Woke Handout,’ $2.5 Billion in Funding Scrapped
As of Dec. 5, the government had not yet filed its response.
House Appropriations
Governors Call on Congress to Prioritize Broadband Deployment
Asks for 'flexibility’ in administering broadband programs.
Donald Trump
Senate Passes Trump's Big Tax Breaks and Spending Cuts Bill
Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie, with 3 Republican senators joining all Democrats in voting against the measure.
Commerce
22 States Sue Trump Administration Over ‘Unlawful’ Federal Grant Cancellations
Lawsuit challenges rule used to cancel Digital Equity Act and other federally funded programs.
Digital Inclusion
Group of 140 Orgs Urge Lutnick to Restore Digital Equity Funding
Lutnick told lawmakers earlier this month that 'the courts will decide.' Grant winners have not yet sued.
Digital Inclusion
Illinois Democrats Urge Lutnick to Reinstate the Digital Equity Act Funds
Backlash continues following termination of $2.75 billion program.
Rural
Stakeholders Protest Rural Utilities Service Budget Cuts
Loans are 'a win-win situation for rural consumers and American taxpayers' because they are paid back with interest, the groups said.
Digital Inclusion
Sen. Murray Blasts Lutnick on Cuts to Digital Equity Program
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says courts will decide the issue
Digital Inclusion
The Digital Equity Act Tried to Close the Digital Divide. Trump Calls It Racist and Acts to End It
Whether Trump has the legal authority to end the program remains unknown. But for now the Republican administration can simply stop spending the money.
Digital Inclusion
Sen. Murray: Canceling Digital Equity Grants Illegal
NTIA webpages related to the programs were down Wednesday.
Trump Vance Administration
Trump White House Rescinds OMB Order Freezing Federal Grants
Widespread confusion on Tuesday, particularly about the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment grant program, among others.
Funding
NTIA Releases Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
The program will make $1.25 billion available to implement state Digital Equity plans.
CETF
As Senate Passes Infrastructure Measure, Non-Profit Groups Push for Digital Equity Bill of Rights
Join Sunne Wright McPeak at 12 Noon ET on Wednesday for a discussion about the push for digital equity.
Infrastructure
Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan Digital Equity Act
Sen. Murray re-introduces bi-partisan that would provide grants to states pushing for digital equity.
