Veterans

Veterans living in rural America are being left behind by Federal healthcare systems due to shortages of robust broadband services and limited telehealth access, lawmakers and witnesses warned on July 25 during a field hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. During the hearing, which was held in Urbana (IL), Members of Congress heard firsthand how the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) telehealth programs remain out of reach for many veterans in rural areas who lack reliable internet access.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act, providing support for law enforcement, economic development, scientific research, and other national priorities. The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 19-10, provides $79.7 billion in discretionary funding, including $6.6 billion in defense funding and $73.1 billion in nondefense funding. 

The fifth report of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access (Task Force) continues the ambitious goals set by the Task Force in 2024 and provides forward-looking recommendations that will continue to promote the efficient, strategic expansion of broadband access and adoption across Wisconsin. This 2025 Task Force Report comes at a pivotal time for policy makers and elected officials. Many of the past recommendations that were enacted are resulting in significant measurable progress for internet access and adoption in Wisconsin.

The denial of equitable access has been a defining feature throughout American history.

When President Donald Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the first day of his second term, he launched an initiative to reduce federal grants, contracts, and programs across Federal government agencies. As of June 3, 2025, DOGE was estimating $180 billion in "savings" as a result of these reductions. This estimate includes funding for national broadband and digital equity efforts that have been cut entirely or significantly revamped in the last two months alone.

Senators Jim Banks (R-IN) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025. More than 600,000 veterans and 275,000 dependents use G.I. Bill education benefits. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working to modernize the program through the Digital G.I. Bill, but most communications are still sent on paper. This legislation would allow veterans to opt-out of receiving hard copy G.I. Bill documents in the mail and instead receive electronic correspondence from VA.

On behalf of the 156 individuals leading 140 organizations serving communities from 39 states, we, the undersigned, urge you to reinstate the Digital Equity Act (DEA) Programs that were cancelled on May 9, 2025. We are the organizations that would have carried out the work funded by the Digital Equity Act Program, created and authorized by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

The Maine Connectivity Authority announces the launch of the Maine Tech Share program, a digital opportunity initiative developed in partnership with Maine’s only nonprofit device refurbisher, give IT. get IT. The program enables Maine businesses and institutions to safely recycle underutilized or unused devices, which are then refurbished and distributed to families and individuals, providing the technology needed for participation in today’s digital society. MCA’s goal is to source 25,000 devices, which will be wiped of data and refurbished for redistribution by give IT. get IT. give IT.

A group of representatives from Illinois, led by Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the termination of the Digital Equity Act. The group objected to the cancellation of the funding and urged Secretary Lutnick to reinstate the funding immediately. "Congress recognized that broadband access and digital literacy are increasingly critical for employment, education, healthcare and participation in the broader economy.

The Trump Administration pulled the plug on Vermont's $5.3 million 'Digital Equity' program in May. The program would have bridged Vermont's digital divide, providing devices and digital training to people who cannot access the internet, making broadband more accessible and affordable to folks living in rural communities, low-income households and people facing other digital barriers. Now, some have been left behind. Federal officials claim that the program was created using diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) framework. Vermont's Community Broadband Board says that is just not the case.