Digital Equity Act Month of Action Launches One Year After Program Cancellation

Written By JudeAnne Heath

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2026

Senator Ben Ray Luján, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Rob Menendez, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, Join Leading Organizations in the Launch of the National “Digital Equity Act Month of Action” One Year After Program Cancellation

Washington, D.C. — Leading national and community-based advocacy organizations have launched the “Digital Equity Act Month of Action,” taking place from May 8 through June 8, 2026. As part of this national mobilization, the Hispanic Federation and HTTP hosted a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026, with cohosts Public Knowledge, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and National Urban League. A recording of the press conference can be viewed here.

The effort marks the one-year anniversary of the cancellation of the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act (DEA), a federal program designed to expand digital access, skills, and opportunity nationwide.

As part of this national mobilization, organizers brought together policymakers and leaders across the digital inclusion ecosystem to discuss how essential the Digital Equity Act is to all Americans.

The press conference was emceed by JudeAnne Heath, Executive Director of HTTP, and featured remarks from Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08), FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, as well as: Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation; Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League; Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance; Chris Lewis, President and CEO, Public Knowledge; Andrew Butcher, President, Maine Connectivity Authority; Gillian Cassell-Stiga, Senior Counsel, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; and San Antonio, Texas resident Belinda Parker Mendoza.

The Act established and funded three separate grant programs designed to expand digital access, skills, and opportunity nationwide.

  • The Digital Equity State Planning Program, a $60 million formula grant program for states, territories, and Native entities to develop state and tribal digital equity plans.

  • The Digital Equity Capacity Program, a $1.44 billion formula grant program for states, territories, and Native entities to implement their state digital equity plans.

  • The Digital Equity Competitive Program, a $1.25 billion competitive program under which NTIA can issue grants to support digital equity activities consistent with the Digital Equity Act.

The Administration’s current budget request now asks Congress to rescind these funds entirely, effectively terminating the program in full and removing any remaining pathway for implementation.

Advocates warn that this moment represents a critical inflection point not only for digital inclusion efforts, but for the nation’s broader economic and technological leadership.

“Digital empowerment is central to America’s ability to lead in the global technology landscape,” said JudeAnne Heath of HTTP. “Tech leadership requires access. Without sustained investment in digital inclusion, we risk leaving entire communities behind, which will undermine our ability to build a competitive, AI-ready workforce that can fully participate in the future economy.”

During the press conference, attendees heard from Belinda Parker-Mendoza on the real-world impacts of digital inclusion. “I realized that we don’t just have to keep up with the digital world—we can thrive, lead, and inspire. The human touch that knocked on my door transformed my path, and now I stand as living proof that change is not just possible but within reach for anyone willing to embrace it.”

“In New Mexico and across this country, we know the difference between fast internet, slow internet, and no internet. Right now, there are far too many Americans who are living without reliable and affordable access to the digital world. Yet what is happening in Washington is a deliberate, coordinated attack on veterans, seniors, rural communities, Tribal nations, and low-income families. I have demanded that the Trump administration reverse course at every turn, and I will keep demanding it. I will not stop until every community is connected,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján.

“Let’s be clear: reliable internet is not a luxury. It’s a necessity, as essential as electricity or clean water. Americans depend on it every day for work, education, healthcare, and so much more,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06). “The Digital Equity Act was created to close the digital divide affecting low-income households, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and communities of color. When the Administration abruptly stopped the program last year, it disrupted funding and undermined state and local efforts to expand broadband access and digital skills—a lifeline for Americans in need. As the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing federal broadband funding, I will continue fighting to restore this support. This is not a partisan issue. The digital divide impacts every community. Failing to address it only weakens our workforce, stalls innovation, and hurts our global competitiveness.”

“If Digital Equity Act funding disappears, the infrastructure we build loses its purpose, because access alone does not close the divide. True progress means asking whether people are actually online, whether they have the skills to navigate a digital economy, whether they can access telehealth, apply for jobs, help their kids with homework, and participate fully in modern life. If we only measure deployment, we will build a lot of digital bridges to nowhere and leave a lot of people behind,” said FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez.

“In an era where the internet is a necessity, removing these support systems creates a digital wall for families already facing language and income barriers. For seniors, low-income households, veterans, and those with disabilities, Digital Equity Act funding was crucial, providing them with the skills, technology, and equipment to fully harness the capability of the internet. It is fundamentally wrong to strip away these resources and expect our communities to compete on an uneven playing field,” said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). “We aren't just asking for the status quo, we are demanding a future where digital equity is a right, not a privilege.”

“In order for our nation to fully embrace the technologies of tomorrow, we must first close the digital divide that leaves far too many people unable to participate in a digital society where access to healthcare, education, employment, and essential services require digital skills. Yet, a little over a year ago, the Trump administration announced its unilateral decision to terminate the Digital Equity Act—a bipartisan law written to provide families with support to develop the skills and infrastructure needed to participate in the digital age. We call on Congress to fully restore the Digital Equity Act—a law Congress passed and was signed into law for the benefit of thousands of communities across the country and our nation as a whole,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.

“Digital equity funding is not a luxury—it is essential infrastructure for economic opportunity,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “These investments support the community-based digital literacy, upskilling, and workforce development programs that help people navigate school, apply for jobs, access healthcare, start businesses, and participate fully in our modern economy. Canceling the Digital Equity Act programs is not just bad policy; it is another example of this Administration’s attacks on anything it associates with diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially when it benefits Black, Brown, rural, low-income, and other historically underserved communities. Congress created these programs to close persistent gaps in access and opportunity, and we urge lawmakers to protect the funding and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to digital inclusion.”

“Millions of Americans of all faiths, colors, and backgrounds stood to benefit from the support funded by the Digital Equity Act, until President Trump illegally refused to implement the law of the land. Digital inclusion professionals in communities across the country are the true last mile of closing the digital divide—connecting people after the infrastructure is deployed. Without funding for digital inclusion work, Americans in Tribal, rural, suburban, and urban communities everywhere will continue to struggle with broadband adoption. Congress and the Courts must stand up for the separation of powers and rule of law for the Digital Equity Act and all laws duly passed by Congress,” said Chris Lewis, President and CEO, Public Knowledge.

“The Digital Equity Act remains our country’s greatest opportunity to establish the sustainable programs needed to keep our seniors safe online, teach veterans how to navigate telehealth, and guide workers toward new careers. While NDIA's community of affiliates has the expertise and the trust of their neighbors, they simply cannot meet the ever-increasing demand for digital inclusion support without a federal strategy and funding (aka the Digital Equity Act). As a country that values innovation, new digital technologies are inevitable. Consistent access to the internet, appropriate devices, and digital skill-building are not just luxuries—they are essential to a healthy and economically thriving democracy,” said Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance.

“There is no good that comes from eliminating this funding. Tens of thousands of older Mainers fall victim to internet crimes every year, costing tens of millions of dollars to our most vulnerable citizens. More than 40% of the people in the state qualify for benefits to reduce their internet costs, and the need to upskill our workforce to navigate AI only grows by the day. These needs did not disappear. Only the funding that would have helped them did,” said Andrew Butcher, President, Maine Connectivity Authority.

A replay of the Press Conference can be found here.

About HTTP

HTTP (Hispanic Tech and Telecommunications Partnerships) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan coalition and the leading voice on technology and telecommunications policy as it relates to Latino communities. Since 1996, HTTP continues to convene policymakers, industry leaders, and grassroots organizations to advocate for policies that promote investment, economic mobility, and digital security—ensuring Latino communities, and the nation as a whole, are fully equipped to compete in the digital economy.

Media Contact

For more information, press inquiries, or to connect with speakers for interviews, please contact:

JudeAnne Heath
Executive Director, HTTP
judeanne@httppolicy.org

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