i2Coalition Internet Infrastructure Policy Brief: April 2026

Your brief update on important Internet policy issues

OUTLOOK

Congress returned to Washington mid-month after a two-week spring holiday break lacking a clear path for FY 2026 funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The impasse has centered on the timing of and extent to which funds will be directed to DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol operations. With FY 2026 DHS funding unsettled, President Trump eventually authorized re-direction of some existing DHS funds to pay DHS employees and called for the Congressional Republican majority to approve a second reconciliation bill that would include multiyear funding for ICE and border patrol. During April Congress also began conducting a series of hearings on the President’s FY 2027 budget request. Meanwhile, the cost, length, and outcome of the U.S.-Israel-Iran military conflict have dominated global political, economic, and security discussions in Washington. 

TECH POLICY PRIORITIES 

Intermediary Liability/Content Moderation. The DOJ announced a settlement resolving a censorship lawsuit brought by The Daily Wire, The Federalist, and the State of Texas against the U.S. State Department. The Senate Commerce Committee passed and reported out of committee the No Fentanyl on Social Media Act, and the Stop the Scroll Act. 

Federal Privacy. The Republican House Energy and Commerce Committee Working Group indicated plans to release its long-awaited discussion draft of federal comprehensive data privacy legislation. The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the discussion draft bill may be scheduled in May. 

Copyright/IP. In the aftermath of its recent Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment ruling addressing the copyright contributory infringement liability standard, the Supreme Court overturned a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that could have forced Internet service provider Grande Communications to terminate broadband subscribers accused of piracy. A U.S. federal appeals court reopened VLSI Technology’s patent lawsuit against Intel, overturning a 2024 ruling that had cleared Intel of infringing a patent related to multi-core CPU frequency management.

Antitrust/Competition. The Senate Commerce Committee conducted an FTC oversight hearing addressing a broad range of issues including antitrust. The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the National Football League (NFL), focusing on whether the league has engaged in anticompetitive behavior.

Broadband. Members of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group in Congress reportedly are aiming to produce a discussion draft on USF reforms by the end of 2026. The FCC Chair Brendan Carr is also looking closely at the USF and the Commission is seeking comments about its administration. 

Find Out More

For more in-depth updates on Internet policy, including issues that specifically impact your organization, please contact us about joining the i2Coalition.