Briefs
Senate Commerce Committee Passes NET Act
FCC would need to evaluate impact of network equipment supply chain on broadband access.
Congress
Trusty Gets Her Commerce Committee Vote on April 30
Senate confirmation would give Republicans a 3–2 FCC majority.
Digital Inclusion
Bipartisan PLAN Act Reintroduced in House
Legislation intended to bring broadband to more Americans
Congress
FCC Nominee Olivia Trusty Vows to Balance DoD-Industry Spectrum Demands
During nomination hearing, Trusty pledges to protect universal service while advancing next-gen connectivity.
Section 230
TAKE IT DOWN Act Passes House Commerce, But Not Without a Fight
Democrats warn the law will fall flat without a functional FTC to enforce it.
Briefs
Senate Commerce Committee to Review Key Telecom Nominations
If confirmed, Trusty will cement a Republican majority at the FCC
BEAD
NTIA Nominee Roth Mostly Noncommittal on Key BEAD Issues
Roth offered no guarantees that states won’t have to restart BEAD subgrantee selections.
Congress
Senate Confirms Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary
Lutnick, confirmed 51-45, has emphasized commercial growth in broadband, spectrum, and artificial intelligence.
BEAD
Lawmakers Renew Bill to Address Permitting Delays on Federal Lands
The bill comes as state officials push for reforms to environmental and historic preservation permitting rules under BEAD.
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.
BEAD
Former FCC Commissioner Predicts Court Battle Over BEAD’s Fiber Preference
But Kathryn de Wit of Pew said the structure of BEAD was carefully crafted to address systemic flaws in federal broadband policy.
JD Vance
Sen. Blackburn Wants to Free Up Federal Spectrum for Commercial Use
The senator said unused spectrum could generate up to $100 billion for the federal government
BEAD
Texas Pushes to Eliminate BEAD Low-Cost Broadband Requirement
Texas broadband official urged senators to remove affordability mandates, and labor requirements.
Congress
Kids Off Social Media Act Divides Lawmakers on Senate Commerce Committee
Other bipartisan measures related to broadband expansion, supply chain resilience, and emergency communications.
Chips
Senate Committee Votes To Advance Commerce Nominee Howard Lutnick
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz told Broadband Breakfast he was 'certain there will be' changes to BEAD.
BEAD
NTIA Nominee Roth Has Big Issues with BEAD
Incoming NTIA chief Arielle Roth would abolish fiber preference, low-cost mandates.
