US EditionTrump Called Digital Equity Act ‘racist.’ Now Internet Money for Rural Americans Is Gone.
Congress halted a $2.75 billion program supporting internet access and digital literacy for 23 million low-income households after President Trump called it unconstitutional.
- This spring, the $2.75 billion federal program backing digital navigators was abruptly canceled despite all 50 states developing digital equity plans and over 40 submitting proposals.
- Following a Truth Social post by President Donald Trump calling the act unconstitutional and pledging `no more woke handouts based on race!`, Congress did not renew funding for about 23 million households, advancing the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program this year.
- Local nonprofits say Megan Waiters distributed 648 devices and led 117 classes while Community Service Programs of West Alabama awaited a $1.4 million grant and Phoenix lost $11.8 million after a May 20 email.
- The nonprofit awarded nearly $26 million filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 to force fund distribution, while Georgia's Democratic leaders urged reinstatement in July.
- The Digital Equity Act is part of the 2021 infrastructure law that included $65 billion, and a KFF analysis found nearly 3 million people and about 200 rural counties face worse health outcomes due to poor internet access.
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North Carolina Health NewsTrump called Digital Equity Act ‘racist.’ Now internet money for rural Americans is gone.
Megan Waiters can recite the stories of dozens of people she has helped connect to the internet in western Alabama. A 7-year-old who couldn't do classwork online without a tablet, and the 91-year-old she taught to check health care portals on a smartphone.
kffhealthnews.org
The Gilmer MirrorTrump Called Digital Equity Act ‘Racist.’ Now Internet Money for Rural Americans Is Gone.
Megan Waiters can recite the stories of dozens of people she has helped connect to the internet in western Alabama. A 7-year-old who couldn’t do classwork online without a tablet, and the 91-year-old she taught to check health care portals on a smartphone. “They have health care needs, but they don’t have the digital skills,” said Waiters, who is a digital navigator for an Alabama nonprofit. Her work has involved giving away computers and tablet…
Trump called the Digital Equity Act ‘racist.’ Now internet money for rural Americans is gone.
Wylie Rodriguez, a Mediacom technician, works on servicing existing broadband infrastructure Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, in Silverhill, Ala. President Donald Trump canceled a federal program earlier this year aiming to improve broadband access in rural and udnerserved areas. (Mike Kittrell for Alabama Reflector)Megan Waiters can recite the stories of dozens of people she has helped connect to the internet in western Alabama. A 7-year-old who couldn’…
alabamareflector.com
mainemorningstar.comTrump called the Digital Equity Act ‘racist.’ Now Internet money for rural Americans is gone.
Wylie Rodriguez, a Mediacom technician, works on servicing existing broadband infrastructure Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, in Silverhill, Ala. President Donald Trump canceled a federal program earlier this year aiming to improve broadband access in rural and udnerserved areas. (Mike Kittrell for Alabama Reflector)Megan Waiters can recite the stories of dozens of people she has helped connect to the internet in western Alabama. A 7-year-old who couldn’…
Trump Administration Sued Over Stopped Digital Equity Grants - Inside Towers
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump Administration in federal court challenging the administration’s repeal of the Digital Equity Act (DEA) Competitive Grant Program. NDIA, a non-profit based in Columbus, OH, is being represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Through the DEA Competitive Grant Program, organizations could apply for funding for programs that brought …
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