Letter

NTCA Applauds Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, Urges Inclusion of Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act

Congress has recently committed tens of billions of dollars to broadband deployment, but taxing broadband grants dramatically reduces their impact.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Sen Schmitt (R-MO) regarding the Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Proceeding

In November 2023, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing concerns about the open internet proceedings, and requesting that Chairwoman Rosenworcel 1) "identify the specific authority granted by Congress that provides a legal justification to support the Commission’s decision to move forward on net neutrality;" 2) confirm her belief "that reclassifying BIAS as a Title II common carrier service would be a regulation of 'vast economic and political significance;'" 3) "provide a specific legal rationale as t

174 Mayors to Congress: Renew and Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program

We are writing to express our support for extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, an essential program that over 23 million families rely on to access quality and affordable high-speed internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program has been a key tool in our efforts to eliminate the digital divide in America since it was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. The fact that the Affordable Connectivity Program was enacted into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not lost on us – it’s a program that has wide support.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program

On Dec 15, 2023, Republican leadership from the Senate and House Commerce Committees wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel with questions and concerns abbout the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Congress Regarding the Status of the Affordable Connectivity Program

On January 8, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote a letter updating lawmakers on the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Launched in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program is the largest internet affordability program in US history, and has enrolled nearly 23 million households, helping close the digital divide by bringing more households online. The FCC expects funding for the ACP to last through April 2024, and

NTIA Ex Parte Letter Regarding the FCC’s Section 706 Notice of Inquiry

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) met virtually with Federal Communications Commission staff on December 21, 2023 to discuss the Section 706 Report Notice of Inquiry. NTIA expressed its strong support for the FCC’s important work to assess whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion, and offered its assistance as the FCC works to identify appropriate methodologies and data sources for use in conducting this assessment.

Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

This memorandum provides guidance to help agencies advance digital accessibility by maintaining an accessible Federal technology environment, promoting accessible digital experiences, and continuing the implementation of accessibility standards in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Members of the public and Federal employees should have equitable access to government, regardless of ability. The prevalence of information technology and the growing necessity of it in daily life make digital accessibility a continuing imperative for Federal agencies.

House Commerce Committee Republicans to NTIA: By Allowing States to Regulate Broadband Rates, NTIA is Ignoring Congressional Intent

We write in response to your testimony at the December 5, 2023, hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology titled, “Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).” Throughout the hearing, you provided troubling answers that suggested that the NTIA would permit rate regulation by states participating in the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Republicans Raise Serious Concerns About the FCC’s Management of the ACP

We write asking you to clarify your recent congressional testimony regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). At a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on November 30, 2023, you asserted—without evidence and contrary to the FCC’s own data—that “25 million households” would be “unplug[ged]…from the internet” if Congress does not provide new funding for the ACP. This is not true.

Republican senators want to stop the FCC from updating data-breach notification rules

It has come to our attention that the Federal Communications Commission intends to vote on a Report and Order that would violate Congress’ Resolution of Disapproval vitiating the FCC’s 2016 Broadband Privacy Order. Since the FCC has no authority to ignore Congress’ exercise of the Congressional Review Act (CRA), we urge you to withdraw the draft Report and Order to avoid resurrecting substantially similar parts of the 2016 Broadband Privacy Order that Congress nullified. The FCC’s proposed rules in the Report and Order are clearly “substantially similar” to the nullified 2016 rules.