One year ago, the historic $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act (DEA) was abruptly halted, freezing crucial federal funding meant to bridge the digital divide. Today, the fight to restore those funds is stronger than ever.
On May 14, 2026, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) joined the Hispanic Federation, Hispanic Tech and Telecommunications Partnerships (HTTP), and a coalition of leading national and community-based organizations for a virtual press conference to mark the official launch of the Digital Equity Act Month of Action.
The message from policymakers, advocates, and digital inclusion practitioners was unified and clear: digital equity is not a luxury; it is a necessity for the nation’s economic mobility and technological leadership.
A Critical Inflection Point
The DEA, enacted under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was designed to expand broadband access, device distribution, and digital skills training for historically marginalized communities. It established three vital grant programs: State Digital Equity Planning, Capacity, and Competitive Grants.
However, the Administration’s current budget request asks Congress to rescind these funds entirely, effectively terminating the program and removing any pathway for implementation. As NDIA and our partners warned during the press conference, this represents a severe threat to community-based organizations that have spent years preparing to deploy these resources.
Voices from the Frontlines
Moderated by JudeAnne Heath, Executive Director of HTTP, the May 14 press conference featured a powerful roster of leaders who spoke to the urgency of protecting congressionally approved digital inclusion funding, including NDIA executive director Angela Siefer:
“While NDIA’s community of 2000+ Affiliates have the expertise and the trust of their neighbors, they simply cannot meet the ever-increasing demand for digital support without a federal strategy and funding (aka the Digital Equity Act). Even though the Digital Equity Act was canceled a year ago, it still remains our country’s greatest opportunity to establish the sustainable digital inclusion programs needed to keep seniors safe online, teach veterans how to navigate telehealth, and guide workers toward new careers.
As a country that values innovation, new digital technologies are inevitable. And yet the greatest strength in our country has always been its people. To value our people in the 21st century’s digital world, we cannot treat consistent access to the internet, appropriate devices, and digital skill-building as luxuries—they are essential to a healthy and economically thriving democracy and most importantly, our people.”
Key themes from other confirmed speakers included:
- The Power of the Purse: Lawmakers, including Senator Ben Ray Luján (NM), Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), and Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08), emphasized that Congress holds the constitutional authority over appropriations, pledging to fight any executive efforts to unilaterally rescind the prior funding.
- Economic and Workforce Readiness: Advocacy leaders like Frankie Miranda (President and CEO, Hispanic Federation) and Marc H. Morial (President and CEO, National Urban League) highlighted that without digital skills and access, communities of color and rural populations are locked out of the modern economy, from applying for jobs to accessing telehealth.
- The Impact on the Ecosystem: NDIA’s own Executive Director, Angela Siefer, alongside local leaders like Jessica Perez (Digital Opportunity Senior Manager, Maine Connectivity Authority), shared how the cancellation has forced local affiliates to scrap projects and make difficult staffing decisions, even as the demand for digital navigators continues to grow.
- Legal and Regulatory Perspectives: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, Chris Lewis (President and CEO, Public Knowledge), and Gillian Cassell-Stiga (Senior Counsel, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) discussed the regulatory and legal implications of stalling these funds, warning that the rollback is a blow to consumer protection and business growth.
What’s at Stake
The funds targeted for elimination represent the largest single investment in digital equity in U.S. history. If the Administration’s rescission is successful, the nation stands to lose:
- $1.44 Billion in Capacity Grants: Funding designed to help states, territories, and Tribal entities implement the comprehensive Digital Equity Plans they have already spent years developing.
- $1.25 Billion in Competitive Grants: Essential support for private sector, public sector, and non-profit entities (including many NDIA affiliates) to run on-the-ground digital inclusion activities.
These programs are the human infrastructure needed to make broader broadband deployment (like the BEAD program) successful. A physical broadband connection means little if families cannot afford it, lack a working device, or do not have the digital skills to use it safely and effectively.
Join the Month of Action
The DEA Month of Action runs from May 8 through June 8, 2026. True digital inclusion has never been fueled by one policy alone—it is driven by the tenacity and resilience of the people doing the work in their communities.
We need your voice to ensure Congress forcefully rejects the FY2027 budget request to eliminate these funds.
How you can participate:
- Share Your Story: Post a short video or written testimony on social media explaining how the cancellation of the DEA has impacted your organization and the community you serve. Use the hashtags #DigitalEquity and #DigitalInclusion.
- Send a Reminder to Policymakers: Ensure the President’s budget request to eliminate the Digital Equity Act funds from the FY2027 budget is not heeded by Congress, and remind policymakers, funders, partners and the media of the need for digital inclusion programs and in doing so celebrate your tenacity and resilience.
- Stay Connected: For reporters and advocates unable to attend the press conference, follow-up materials, quotes, and video content are available by contacting HTTP.
With digital equity, we all win. Let’s keep fighting to ensure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.