Post-Election Outlook | Infrastructure Reform Under Commission Carr

Chairman Carr delivered a speech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on July 2 titled “A Build Agenda for America” in which he laid out the FCC’s priorities for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. In citing to what he refers to as President Trump’s “new Golden Age for America,” Chairman Carr indicated he believes the telecommunications sector needs reform through his Build America Agenda. This agenda aims to create new growth and opportunity in telecommunications, helping the United States surpass global competitors.

On Monday, June 23, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a public notice announcing comment and reply comment deadlines for the Identifying Foreign Adversary Ownership Stakes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Foreign Ownership NPRM). Comments will be due on July 23, and replies will be due on August 22.

President Donald J. Trump has taken action to bolster the American drone industry and safeguard U.S. airspace with the signing of two critical executive orders. Entitled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” and “Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty,” these orders underscore the administration’s commitment to harmonizing national security and technological progress.

On June 5, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a tentative agenda for its next Open Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 26 at 10:30 AM ET. This release occurred a day before Commissioners Simington and Starks stepped down from their roles at the FCC, leaving the Commission with only two sitting commissioners—Chairman Carr and Commissioner Gomez. A quorum of three commissioners is required in order for the FCC to conduct Commission-level business. While the Commission will be able to continue with bureau-level proceedings, the lack of quorum raises legal and practical questions about the Commission’s ability to adopt new rules, such as the rules contained in the two draft Report and Orders below. Quorum, however, can be regained if Congress can confirm President Trump’s nominee, Olivia Trusty, as a new Republican Commissioner prior to the June Open Meeting. Recognizing this, on June 12, Senate Majority Leader Thune filed a “notice of cloture” that will allow the Senate to debate, and then vote, on Trusty’s nomination by the end of next week. Trusty’s appointment would allow the Commission to act on three items that are expected to be considered at the Open Meeting, which are detailed below:

On June 6, 2025, the Commerce Department issued new guidance in the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The guidance, titled the “BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice,” introduces many significant changes to the broadband deployment subsidy program, most notably:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held its May Open Meeting on Thursday, May 22, during which it voted to adopt three items: (1) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to require holders of certain Commission-issued licenses, authorizations or approvals to certify whether they are owned by, controlled by or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary; (2) a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (R&O/FNPRM) that aims to strengthen requirements and oversight relating to telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs), measurement facilities (test labs) and accreditation bodies; and (3) a FNPRM seeking comment on ways that the 12.7-13.25 gigahertz (GHz) and 42.0-42.5 GHz bands could be used more intensively for satellite communications.

On April 22, 2025, the NTIA issued a Notice of Programmatic Waiver (Waiver Notice) providing a 90-day extension of the Final Proposal deadline in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The issuance of the Waiver Notice signals that the Department of Commerce is pressing forward with its review of the BEAD program. The Waiver Notice also provides additional clues about the nature of the changes that the Department is contemplating for the BEAD program.

On May 9, President Donald Trump declared the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional and announced that he would be immediately “ending” the programs created under the law.