US Senate

Senators Urge NTIA to Prioritize Funding for Broadband Projects in Unserved Areas

In a letter to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson, Sen Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen Steve Daines (R-MT) and several other senators urged the agency to prioritize funding for broadband projects in unserved rural areas. "NTIA has an opportunity to make substantial impact on connecting rural America. However, doing so will require that your agency outline rules that specifically prohibit overbuilding and that set clear criteria to ensure projects targeted at unserved areas are actually prioritized," said the February 4 letter.

Lawmakers Call For Extension Of Pandemic Telehealth Expansion

Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) led a bipartisan and bicameral group of 45 lawmakers in calling for the extension of expanded coverage of telehealth services to be included in must-pass legislation in February 2022. Provisions from the Schatz-authored CONNECT for Health Act were included in previous COVID-19 relief legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services and to expand the types of health care providers eligible to provide telehealth.

Sen Wicker Urges FCC and NTIA to Strengthen Coordination on Spectrum Policy

Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to work cooperatively to resolve spectrum policy issues and update the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on spectrum coordination, which has not been updated since 2003. "With your recent confirmations by the Senate, it is now time to take steps toward improving the cooperation and collaboration between your agencies that is essential to spectrum management and the future of US spectrum policy," says Thune.

Sen Warren Calls on DOJ and SEC to Open Criminal and Civil Investigations into Facebook

Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter to United States Attorney General Merrick Garland and Gary Gensler, Chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and SEC to open criminal and civil investigations into Facebook to determine if the company or its executives violated US wire fraud and securities laws.