Policymakers

“Our economy thrives on competition," said Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "It is the reason the United States is home to some of the most dynamic companies in the world. I welcome this effort by the President to enhance competition in the American economy and in the nation’s communications sector.”

Ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) asking the agency to reassess its data collection processes and sources, and to use only the most up-to-date and accurate data as it updates its map.

Sherwin Siy, former Vice President of Legal Affairs at Public Knowledge, has passed away at the age of 40. Sherwin championed the public interest throughout his career, serving as a member of the Public Knowledge staff from 2006 to 2015. His technology policy work spanned many subjects, including copyright, privacy, telecommunications, and free expression. “We are heartbroken to have lost a beloved member of the Public Knowledge family, former Vice President of Legal Affairs, Sherwin Siy," said CEO Chris Lewis in a statement on behalf of Public Knowledge.

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking nominations for membership on the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC).

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr.

Key Republicans are warming to an idea that was once anathema to the party—leveling taxes on big American companies to pay for internet subsidy programs. An idea from GOP Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr to force tech companies to pay into a pool of money used to fund broadband programs is gaining steam with some key lawmakers, including GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Republican support of taxing Big Tech could help shore up the struggling Universal Service Fund; Commissioner Carr argues that Congress should direct the companies that benefit from using internet networks

The House Appropriations Committee is moving a bill that would increase the Federal Communications Commission's budget by $14 million. And the increase comes with some recommendations:

California Democrats are clashing with members of their party over a package of antitrust bills targeting the top tech companies in the country. Democratic representatives from California on the House Judiciary Committee, particularly those representing tech-heavy Bay Area districts, voted against the majority of their colleagues over the past two days on five antitrust bills that seek to rein in the market power of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. The stiff opposition from the California delegation may cause further hurdles as the legislation heads to the House floor, with moderate and

The House Appropriations Committee released the draft fiscal year 2022 Financial Services and General Government funding bill which provides annual funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary, the Executive Office of the President, and other independent agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. For fiscal year 2022, the draft bill includes $29.1 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $4.8 billion over 2021. 

States throughout the country have created programs to expand broadband connectivity for their residents.