On June 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a highly anticipated Policy Notice updating the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, giving states 90 days to comply.
On June 10, the Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce (CIAW), which NADO is an active member, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to reject harmful cuts to workforce development programs recently proposed as part of the president’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget request.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the awarding of $21 million in Partnership Planning grants to 101 entities, after being temporarily paused.
The EDA Stakeholder Coalition sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to reject the proposal to eliminate the EDA in Fiscal Year 2026.
On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” by a vote of 215 to 214, with one member voting present. The vote followed extended negotiations and a prolonged floor debate. All Democratic members voted against the legislation. Two Republican members, Representatives Thomas Massie (KY) and Warren Davidson (OH), also opposed the bill, while Representative Andy Harris (MD) voted present. The vote result reflects a narrowly unified Republican caucus following several days of internal discussions and revisions to the bill’s language.
On May 16, 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has rescinded the latest six funding awards previously announced under the Tech Hubs Program and will be reopening the application process, with certain modifications. The previously awarded projects, announced in January 2025, were described by Secretary Lutnick as being “rushed, opaque, and unfair.” He noted that the awards were made without available funds and were based on “outdated applications, lacking proper competition.”
For the first time in 20 years, Congress has reauthorized the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). On January 4 2025, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367) was signed into law, following its passage in the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. The reauthorization of the EDA will strengthen and protect EDA’s programs and will enhance key initiatives that are vital to the success of NADO members and Economic Development Districts across the country.
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) voted to advance the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3891) by voice vote on March 12. This legislation, if enacted, would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the first time in nearly 20 years.
On July 4, President Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a comprehensive legislative package that addresses a wide range of policy areas, including tax reform, healthcare, defense spending, border security, workforce development, and energy policy.
On June 18, Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reintroduced the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act.