American Indian Policy Institute
Competing House and Senate Wireless Spectrum Provisions in the Budget Act Could Affect Tribal Broadband Access
Congress is actively working to finalize this year’s federal budget bill, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Act reflects the Trump Administration’s budget and policy priorities for Fiscal Year 2025, including many related to wireless spectrum. In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission took landmark steps to introduce the innovative Citizens Broadband Radio Service band.
Federal Communications Commission Changes Tribal Lands Eligibility for Lifeline Program Without Tribal Consultation
On November 16, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report & Order to change its definition of “rurality” for Tribal lands eligible for the enhanced Tribal subsidy of the Lifeline Program. Despite a thorough record of Tribal filings in this proceeding—including previous reform and modernization proceedings beginning initiated in 2011—the FCC has decided to eliminate the enhanced Tribal Lifeline support that was previously designated for all Tribal lands.