The situation continues to change rapidly and on several fronts. Presidential Executive Orders are being challenged in court, other court cases are moving through the system, and other agency and legislative actions out of both Washington and Boston are numerous.
Federal Executive Actions
- Executive Order 14238: Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
- March 14, 2025 - this order calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- FY2026 White House/Congressional Budget Proposal
- May 2, 2025 - IMLS budget is zero in this proposal.
- May 22, 2025 - The budget bill passed the House, 215-214.
- President Trump cancels Digital Equity Capacity Grants to states
- This funding, administered in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, was to be used for digital skills training, expanding access, and support to anchor institutions and local government providing digital equity.
- May 9, 2025 - This grant was terminated. Legal actions are being considered.
- June 6, 2025 - NTIA issued a notice of restructuring for a portion of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- This funding, administered in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, was to be used for digital skills training, expanding access, and support to anchor institutions and local government providing digital equity.
Court Cases
- State of Rhode Island, et al. v. Trump et al (25-cv-00128-JJM-LDA)
- The Attorneys General of 21 states filed suit against Executive Order 14238.
- May 13, 2025 - A preliminary injunction was issued. The federal government is appealing.
- June 5, 2025 - Judge McConnell denied a request for a stay of his injunction. The injunction remains in place. The administration has appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
- The Attorneys General of 21 states filed suit against Executive Order 14238.
- AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION v. SONDERLING, 1:25-cv-01050, (D.D.C.)
- The ALA and AFSCME filed suit against the dismissal of IMLS staff.
- May 1, 2025 - A temporary restraining order was granted. The federal government is appealing.
- June 6, 2025 - The restraining order was lifted and the preliminary injunction was denied.
- The ALA and AFSCME filed suit against the dismissal of IMLS staff.
- Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research
- This case involves the Universal Service Fund, from which E-Rate is made available. A Fact Sheet from the Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) explains.
- March 26, 2025 - The US Supreme Court heard arguments in this case. A ruling is expected sometime in June.
- This case involves the Universal Service Fund, from which E-Rate is made available. A Fact Sheet from the Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) explains.
Congressional Action
- Congressional Review Act Resolution against E-Rate funding of Hotspots
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a resolution to prevent E-Rate funds from being used to fund lendable hotspots for schools and libraries, which was set to begin in E-Rate funding year 25 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).
- May 8, 2025 - This resolution has passed the Senate and now moves to the House.
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a resolution to prevent E-Rate funds from being used to fund lendable hotspots for schools and libraries, which was set to begin in E-Rate funding year 25 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).
- FY2026 White House/Congressional Budget Proposal
- May 2, 2025 - IMLS budget is zero in this proposal.
- May 22, 2025 - The budget bill passed the House, 215-214.
Other Federal Updates
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 created funding through the Digital Equity Act (DEA) and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
- June 6, 2025 - NTIA issued a notice of restructuring for the BEAD program.
Massachusetts Updates
- State Budget Progress
- The Budget passed by the House contained level funding for MBLC line items; all amendments failed to pass.
- The Budget passed by the Senate contained level funding for MBLC line items; one amendment increased line item 9401 (State Aid to Regional Libraries) by $500,000.
- The conferece committee of both House and Senate members will now merge the bills.