Contact: Kristenn Fortson, [email protected]
Court Halts Trump’s Attempt to End Grant Program for Digital Equity
National Digital Inclusion Alliance lawsuit to protect the program will move forward
Columbus, OH – In a partial victory for the country, the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia ruled earlier this week that the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s lawsuit (National Digital Inclusion Alliance v. Trump) challenging the administration’s termination of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program may continue. The court denied the government’s motion to dismiss the case in part, keeping the fight for nationwide digital equity alive.
Regrettably, however, the court’s ruling also severed the inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities as a specific covered population in the program on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. NDIA maintains unequivocally that the Digital Equity Act is constitutional in its entirety, and that the administration’s aggressive actions to dismantle it are unjust.
Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) said, “We are proud to have pushed to keep the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program alive. This crucial program provides communities across the country not just with access or technology, but the skills, confidence, and pathways necessary to fully participate and thrive in our digital age. We fundamentally object to the government’s position that empowering Black and Brown communities is unconstitutional. This is why NDIA will continue to do what we have always done: fight for a future of full inclusion, ensuring that digital equity is a reality for all.”
Congress enacted the Digital Equity Act in 2021 as a bold step to dismantle persistent barriers to broadband adoption and digital participation, directly addressing the systemic obstacles faced by historically underserved communities. Through planning grants, capacity-building, and community partnerships, the law seeks to help close the digital divide affecting millions of Americans.
As part of the act, Congress appropriated $1.25 billion for The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The funding was provided as $250 million per year for five fiscal years (FY 2022-FY 2026), to remain available until spent.
NDIA stands firm in its belief that preserving these programs goes far beyond honoring congressional intent—it is about keeping a vital promise to the states, Tribal governments, local organizations, libraries, schools, and community partners working tirelessly on the front lines guiding their most vulnerable community members to safely participate in our digital age. NDIA will not back down in protecting the investments already made to expand digital opportunity to millions of Americans across the country.
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The National Digital Inclusion Alliance advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with a community of more than 2,000 Affiliates, NDIA combines grassroots community engagement with technical knowledge, research, and coalition building to advocate on behalf of people working in their communities for digital equity. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.