Federal

Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT), and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform the federal environmental review and permitting processes.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a series of permitting reforms that will modernize the agency’s approach to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and cut billions of dollars’ worth of red tape. Industry projections estimate that, without the reforms in this item, the FCC’s NEPA and historic preservation rules would result in over $2.2 billion in compliance costs over the next decade and a total of at least $7.5 billion in welfare and economic activity loss over that same period.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that will open up additional spectrum for next-generation connectivity. The FCC will unlock more than 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12 GHz and 42 GHz bands for a range of connectivity services, including even faster satellite broadband. In addition to these final rules, in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission explores freeing up 1,450 megahertz of spectrum in the Ku- and Ka- bands, along with 138.25 gigahertz in the D-band, for more intensive satellite communications.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal that seeks comment on ways to modernize the FCC’s rules for ultra-wideband technology (UWB)—unlicensed offerings that power a range of IoT, consumer, and other cutting-edge devices. Today’s proposal represents the start of the next chapter in a great American success story. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) addresses the technology advancements and explosion in innovative use cases since the FCC’s 2002 decision to authorize the first unlicensed UWB operations.

The Federal Communications Commission approved a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking comment on how the agency can best adapt its approach to the changing communications landscape and apply these objectives to the next generation of communications technologies and platforms. The FCC invites stakeholders to look beyond today's 911 system, consider how new technologies and services could reshape 911, and provide input on how the FCC can best adapt its approach to meet public safety needs and consumer expectations in the years ahead.

President Donald Trump is determined to leave AI companies to their own devices when it comes to building safety guardrails. But tech executives and former government officials say they’re skeptical the accord will lead to tangible changes because the stipulations aren't legally binding and likely aren’t much different from what the companies are already doing. The accord underscores a simmering tension between some major AI companies and the Administration over safety guardrails: Executives such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei

There are at least two federal agencies that have been awarding smaller grants that are broadband-related. The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) makes grants aimed at economic development in 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. A similar agency is the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which plays a similar role across 423 counties in Appalachia across thirteen states. These agencies are required by law to make most of their awards in economically distressed counties.

Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations Act, which would establish an independent board to investigate major cybersecurity incidents affecting critical infrastructure, including those enabled by artificial intelligence (AI).

Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced the AI Systems Transparency Act (ASTA) which would require AI companies to be more transparent with the public about what data their models are collecting from users, the safeguards they’ve put in place for children and adults, and the guardrails they’ve created to stop systems from going rogue or being used dangerously by bad actors. Under ASTA, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would have the power to enforce these transparency requirements, while ensuring that companies c

Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to immediately issue guidance regarding the use of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds for non-deployment activities so that communities can get funding out the door to eligible projects.