On Same Day Senate Republicans Strip Internet Access from Students and Educators, President Trump Attempts to Illegally End Bipartisan Law to Connect Seniors, Veterans, and Rural Communities

Trump’s NTIA Nominee Testified: “I commit to implementing NTIA’s statutory requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act”

New Mexico Was Expected to Receive $14.3 Million in Grants, Covers 91.7% of State Population

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will “end” the Digital Equity Act (DEA), which Congress passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

“On the same day Senate Republicans voted to strip internet access from students and educators, President Trump is illegally attempting to end a program that connects millions of people to the online world. In New Mexico, we know the difference between slow internet, fast internet, and no internet and the challenges that come with it. Our students, seniors, veterans, and small businesses rely on internet access for education, health care, economic opportunity, and public safety. President Trump is leaving our communities in the dark.

“The President does not have the authority to unilaterally end this bipartisan law, deem it unconstitutional, or withhold funding that was appropriated by Congress. Congressional Democrats will fight back – and Republicans must stand up to defend this law that benefits all of our constituents.”

In April, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) told members of the Senate Commerce Committee, “I commit to implementing NTIA’s statutory requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act.”Yet on Thursday, President Trump announced that he would illegally end this bipartisan law, jeopardizing billions of dollars that states rely on to expand broadband access. On the same day, Senate Republicans voted to strip internet access millions of students and educators. 

In 2020, then-U.S. Representative Luján introduced the Digital Equity Act to provide funding for state and community digital inclusion efforts. In 2023, Senator Luján introduced the Digital Equity Foundation Act, legislation to establish a nonprofit foundation to channel public and private investments toward closing the digital divide and advancing digital equity, inclusion, and literacy.

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