Report on past event

Ibrahim Emara’s approach to digital inclusion is rooted in accessibility, cultural relevance, and strategic engagement. His digital inclusion efforts have directly impacted immigrants, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income students, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital age. Building capacity and access takes teamwork and dedication. Ibrahim co-developed and co-taught the Neighborhood Allies Adult Digital Skills Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative addressing “digital skills deserts” in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

The House Commerce Committee convened on May 13 to conduct a full markup of the committee's legislative recommendations for U.S. federal government budget reconciliation. In April, the Senate developed a resolution to establish the federal budget for fiscal year 2025 and set budgetary standards for 2026-2034. The resolution passed, and the House Commerce Committee was tasked with reducing the federal deficit by no less than $880 billion by 2034.

Our current political moment poses challenges unlike anything I thought I would face as an FCC Commissioner.  This Administration has been on a campaign to censor and control since, well, before day one.  And since day one the FCC has been implementing the will of this Administration and undermining the First Amendment at every turn.  The First Amendment has protected our fundamental right to speak freely and to hold power to account since 1791. It is foundational to our democracy.  Today, the greatest threat to that freedom is coming from our own government.

The House Commerce Committee rejected an amendment to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, with funds coming from proceeds from future Federal Communications Commission spectrum auctions. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), sponsor of the amendment, was not specific about the amount of money she wanted in describing her amendment, which was defeated (24 yeas, 29 nays) in a party line vote. “Funding to make broadband affordable is needed now, perhaps more than ever,” Rep. Clarke said.

Protesters were forcibly removed from a heated House Commerce Committee hearing as lawmakers began marking up their portion of the reconciliation budget bill, which includes sweeping provisions on artificial intelligence regulation and spectrum policy. While the markup was dominated by partisan clashes over proposed Medicaid cuts, controversial communications measures that would block state and local governments from regulating AI systems until 2035 and reauthorize the 

The House Commerce Committee voted 29-24 to advance the communications title of the GOP megabill.

Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, warned at a Senate hearing that requiring government approval to release powerful artificial intelligence software would be “disastrous” for the United States’ lead in the technology. It was a striking reversal after his comments at a Senate hearing two years ago, when he listed creating a new agency to license the technology as his “number one” recommendation for making sure AI was safe.

This week, the Senate Commerce Committee––chaired by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)––held a confirmation hearing for Olivia Trusty, President Trump’s nominee to be a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission. If (when really) Trusty is confirmed, she would join FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington to give Chairman Brendan Carr a working majority at the Commission. Trusty committed to the following actions if confirmed:

Kristi Westbrock, CEO and general manager of Consolidated Telecommunications Company, warned that imposing a per-location price cap under the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program would be “terribly detrimental” to the state’s progress toward universal fiber access. “All of the locations that are left are really high-cost areas,” she said at the USTelecom 2025 American Connectivity Forum. “So, the number one leading concern definitely is the discussion around ca

The House Commerce Committee reported 20 pieces of legislation to the full House of Representatives including the following bills: