US Senate

Sens Cramer, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Rural Broadband Grants

Under existing law, federal broadband deployment grants are subject to federal taxation, limiting the funds available for recipients to use.

Sens Hickenlooper, Capito, Peters, Moran Reintroduce Bill to Boost Broadband Supply Chain

Sens John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced their bipartisan Network Equipment Transparency (NET) Act to increase broadband supply chain transparency through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make sure federal broadband programs stay on track. Previous supply chain disruptions have delayed broadband infrastructure projects.

Senator Wicker Reintroduces Bill to Develop National Broadband Strategy

Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) reintroduced the Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act. The legislation requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide, as well as a plan to implement this strategy. Previous reports from the Government Accountability Office found that federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping.

Sens Collins, King Applaud $24 Million Investment to Expand Maine Broadband and Digital Skills Training

Sens Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) are announcing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is awarding $24.8 million to expand broadband and digital skills training across Maine. Awarded through the NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, this Maine funding will ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Sen Warren Presses Trump for Answers on Elon Musk’s Glaring Conflicts of Interest

On December 16, Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote to President-Elect Donald Trump to express concerns about the roles played by Elon Musk in the Trump transition, and the conflicts of interest presented by a frequent federal contractor serving as "unofficial co-president." She wrote, "As a key adviser to you and a high-profile policymaker in his role as co-chair of the DOGE Committee, Mr. Musk appears to be playing an extraordinarily influential role in the transition, and it appears that he is poised to continue doing so after you assume office on January 20, 2025.

Senator Markey Reintroduces Legislation to Promote Network Resiliency, Energy Efficiency in Communications Networks

Sen Edward Markey (D-MA) today reintroduced the Generating Resilient and Energy Efficient Network (GREEN) Communications Act to sustainably defend communications networks against climate change and extreme weather disasters. The GREEN Communications Act would specifically:

Sens. Markey, Hirono and Rep. Adams Introduce Legislation to Promote Conservation and Preservation of Government and Historic Records

Sens Edward Markey (D-MA) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Rep Alma Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC) introduced the Public Archives Resiliency Act, which would authorize grants to promote preservation, climate resilience, adaption, and continuity of vital government records and protect other records of historical or cultural significance.

Sens Warren, Sanders, Wyden, Whitehouse Renew Push to Protect Americans’ Sensitive Data From Greedy Brokers

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) reintroduced the Health and Location Data Protection Act (S. 5462), legislation banning data brokers from selling Americans’ sensitive personal information. Data gathered by brokers has been used to circumvent the Fourth Amendment, out LGBTQ+ Americans, and stalk and harass individuals.