Funding
Sen. Collins Presses OMB to Reconsider Sweeping Grant Rule Changes
The proposed rule could affect major federal broadband programs, including BEAD
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.
Rural
Senate Clears Agriculture Bill With $109 Million for Rural Broadband
USDA's ReConnect would see about $50 million for 2026, more than the Senate had previously put forward.
House Appropriations
Governors Call on Congress to Prioritize Broadband Deployment
Asks for 'flexibility’ in administering broadband programs.
Congress
Congress Approves Trump's $9 Billion Cut to Public Broadcasting and Foreign Aid
The vote marked the first time in decades that a president has successfully submitted such a rescissions request to Congress.
Funding
Senate Votes to Cut Funding for NPR, PBS
Sends amended rescissions package back to the House
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
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
Maine Lawmakers: Reverse Digital Equity Cancellations
The Trump administration canceled grants under the Digital Equity Act earlier this month.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Getting $191 Million for Universal Broadband
The state will get $191 million for contracts with municipalities and commercial internet service providers to run fiber on remote roads.
Marsha Blackburn
CES 2022: Multiple U.S. Senators Highlight Rollout of Biden Infrastructure Bill as a Top 2022 Tech Priority
Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Shelley Moore Capito listed infrastructure fund disbursement among their foremost focuses for the coming year.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Officials Reiterate Need for Private-Public Sector Cyber Threat Information Sharing
Calls are growing louder for mandatory breach reporting for cybersecurity incidents.
Congress
McCain’s Absence Means Democrats’ Net Neutrality Bill Expected To Pass 50-49
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2018 — The absence of Arizona Senator John McCain (R) from the Senate means Democrats appear to have enough votes to pass a bill to roll back the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of network neutrality rules put in place under the Obama administration, 50-49. Without McC
White House
Sanders Won’t Say If Trump Will Sign Bill To Restore Obama-Era Net Neutrality Rules As FCC Prepares For Repeal
WASHINGTON, May 10, 2018 — White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday declined to say whether President Trump would sign a bill that would reverse the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of network neutrality rules promulgated during the Obama administration. “We’ll keep
