The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) and more than 80 other groups jointly urged House lawmakers not to pass the Senate-cleared Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res. 7) to undo the FCC's July 2024 order allowing schools and libraries to use E-rate support for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots. The Senate cleared S.J.Res. 7 earlier this month on a 50-38 party-line vote (see 2505080055).

The House Communications Subcommittee plans a hearing June 4 on how U.S. communications networks can support AI applications, the Commerce Committee said Wednesday night. AI “is launching our economy into a new American golden age marked by development and opportunity, but these increasingly dynamic industries need certainty that our networks can support the future of artificial intelligence and its applications,” said House Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Communications Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C. “Fast, reliable networks are crucial for enabling innovation and enhancing America’s technological advantage. We look forward to discussing with our witnesses about how Congress can support this important goal.” The hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.

The House Commerce Oversight Subcommittee scheduled a hearing June 4 to examine the next steps to combat illegal robocalls and robotexts, the Commerce Committee said Wednesday. “Illegal, predatory robocalls and robotexts have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars and undermined the public’s faith in the communications they receive,” said House Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Oversight Chairman Gary Palmer, R-Ala. “Despite congressional and agency enforcement actions, rapid technological development has made it increasingly difficult to stop this scourge.” The hearing will eye “ongoing efforts to target these fraudsters and ways to protect Americans from illegal robocalls and robotexts that are meant to harass and deceive,” the lawmakers said. It will begin at 10:15 a.m. in 2322 Rayburn.

Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan hailed a group of six House lawmakers Wednesday for relaunching the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus. Former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and former Communications Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, are among the caucus’s co-chairs. The group “has served as an essential voice for rural America, and we are encouraged to see its re-launch with strong bipartisan support,” Donovan said. “Connectivity is a lifeline for rural communities -- supporting education, agriculture, healthcare, public safety, and economic opportunity. At a time when several critical policies will shape the future of rural connectivity, we appreciate the Caucus’s renewed focus on advancing policies empowering rural carriers to build and sustain robust networks for their communities.”

Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., on Thursday night criticized spectrum language included in the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). The House cleared HR-1 Thursday 215-214 with provisions that would restore the FCC’s lapsed spectrum auction authority through Sept. 30, 2034, and mandate that the federal government reallocate at least 600 MHz of airwaves for commercial licensed use (see 2505220064). “There is strong bipartisan concern about handing over this spectrum,” Lujan said. “Yet House Republicans are moving ahead at President [Donald] Trump’s directive, prioritizing billionaires over the urgent need to invest in broadband access.”

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged fellow senators Wednesday to investigate whether the phones they’re using are protected from surveillance. The major carriers have different policies, he wrote in a “dear colleague” letter.

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Network Equipment Transparency Act (S-503) on a unanimous voice vote Wednesday. S-503 would direct the FCC to report every two years on the effect of gear availability on the deployment of broadband and other communications services as part of the commission’s assessment of the state of the communications marketplace. The panel also advanced Commerce Department general counsel nominee Pierre Gentin 15-13, with all Democratic senators reflecting their opposition during his confirmation hearing to President Donald Trump’s move to block Digital Equity Act funding (see 2505090051).

CTIA urged the House on Sunday to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act budget reconciliation package as chamber leaders geared up to advance the measure, despite continued doubts that it has enough support within the razor-thin Republican majority to pass as currently written. The House Budget Committee voted 17-16 Sunday night to advance the combined reconciliation measure, which includes Commerce Committee-cleared spectrum language (see 2505140062). House Budget voted down the package Friday, throwing into doubt Republican leaders’ goal of passing it on the floor before the lower chamber is scheduled to begin its Memorial Day recess later this week (see 2505160062). “The wireless industry urges swift passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” said CTIA CEO Ajit Pai. “The critical spectrum and tax provisions in this legislation will allow the wireless industry to invest, create jobs, propel economic growth, and secure America’s edge in innovation.” The White House highlighted Pai’s statement in a Monday news release about private sector support for the reconciliation measure.

The House Budget Committee voted 21-16 Friday against advancing Republicans’ combined “One Big, Beautiful Bill” budget reconciliation measure, which includes Commerce Committee-cleared spectrum language (see 2505140062). House Commerce's measure would restore the FCC's lapsed auction authority through the end of FY 2034 and requires the commission to sell at least 600 MHz of reallocated airwaves within six years (see 2505120058). Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz of Texas and some other Republicans are eyeing alternative spectrum language (see 2505130059).

The Senate Commerce Committee said Wednesday night it plans a May 21 vote on the Network Equipment Transparency Act (S-503). The measure would direct the FCC to report every two years on the impact of gear availability on the deployment of broadband and other communications services as part of the commission’s assessment of the state of the communications marketplace. The panel will also consider advancing Commerce Department general counsel nominee Pierre Gentin, who faced heat from Democratic senators Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s move to block Digital Equity Act funding (see 2505090051). Senate Commerce’s meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in 253 Russell.