Federal Communications Commission

Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez spoke at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit, where she addressed efforts by the FCC and other government entities to intimidate private companies because of internal labor practices meant to promote fairness in hiring: “Private businesses all over the country are under attack. Creeping government intervention is making companies think twice about the way they describe internal diversity programs.

Recently, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that he had established a new Council on National Security within the FCC. Chairman Carr is now disclosing the first major initiative that this Council has been leading. Specifically, the FCC has launched a sweeping investigation into the ongoing U.S. operations of CCP-aligned businesses whose equipment or services the FCC previously placed on its Covered List based on determinations that those equipment or services pose unacceptable risks to America’s national security.

Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington announces two departures from his office. Adam Cassady, Commissioner Simington’s Chief of Staff, departed the agency and began a new role as (Acting) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Administrator. Carlos Minnix, Commissioner Simington’s Staff Assistant, has also left the office and has assumed a similar role in Chairman Carr’s office.

The Federal Communications Commission is taking an initial set of actions that will help accelerate the transition from aging copper lines to modern network infrastructure in communities all across the country. These actions will help ensure that providers roll out upgraded, high-speed networks to more Americans on a faster timeline—rather than requiring providers to keep pouring resources into maintaining decades-old and increasingly expensive copper line networks.

The Federal Communications Commission waives the filing requirements in the network change disclosure rules adopted under section 251(c)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act) for a period of two years, unless the waiver is extended prior to its expiration. In the case of short-term network changes and copper retirements, our action also eliminates the associated Bureau public notice process, along with the objection process for interconnected service providers.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr wrote to members of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee about reinstating the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which lapsed in 2023. He wrote, "Passing legislation that establishes a new pipeline of mid-band spectrum is vital to our economy and national security. If Congress accomplishes this goal, the FCC will implement Congress’s decision. Specifically, the FCC will make any and all of the spectrum allocation and license changes necessary to comply with the law passed by Congress."

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks released a statement announcing his intent to resign: "I sent a letter to the President and Leader Schumer indicating that I intend to resign my seat as a Commissioner this spring. Serving the American people as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life. With my extraordinary fellow Commissioners and the incredible career staff at the agency, we have worked hard to connect all Americans, promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure national security.