The Big Story: As broadband subsidy program ramps up, lawmakers eye next steps. The need for universal broadband was back in the spotlight this week as lawmakers discussed the impacts of the digital divide, especially during the pandemic. At a hearing Tuesday, the House Appropriations subcommittee on financial services and general government examined the impact a lack of affordable, reliable broadband has, especially on rural communities and communities of color.

The Big Story: Endless Frontier Act advances through key Senate Committee with changes. The Senate Commerce Committee voted this week to advance a pared down version of the Endless Frontier Act, clearing it’s path for a floor vote. The bill would invest funds to prioritize research into advanced technologies and would authorize $10 billion to create at least ten regional technology hubs. While the original iteration of the legislation directed $100 billion over five years to the bill’s newly created tech directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF), after amendment, much of this funding would be directed to other NSF activities, with a portion of funds marked toward the directorate to be diverted to the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories.