i2Coalition Internet Infrastructure Policy Brief: July 2025

Your brief update on important Internet policy issues

OUTLOOK

The U.S. House started its summer recess period in late July and will return to Washington in early September. The Senate plans to start its recess by August 1, unless it remains in session for a period beyond that to confirm more of President Trump’s nominees for official Administration roles. Both the House and Senate are gearing up for a busy fall session, with an early focus on passing a continuing resolution by September 30 for funding in order to avoid a federal government shutdown. 

President Trump and Congressional Republicans achieved several major legislative and trade victories during July. The Senate narrowly cleared by a 51-50 vote the massive budget reconciliation bill known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on July 1. The bill encompassed the vast majority of President Trump’s domestic economic agenda. Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, after three Republican Senators (Collins (R-ME), Paul (R-KY), and Tillis (R-NC)) voted against the bill. The House then passed the Senate version of OBBB on July 3 by a vote of 218-214, after Minority Leader Jeffries (D-NY) gave a long House floor speech (8 hours, 45 min). Two Republicans – Representatives Massie (R-KY) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA) – voted against the OBBB. President Trump signed the measure into law on July 4. Key tech-related provisions in the new law include re-enactment and permanent extension of full Research & Development expensing and other pro-business provisions, and a 10-year extension of the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority. A 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations and laws was stripped from the legislation before its passage after Senator Blackburn (R-TN) offered an amendment to remove it, which passed 99-1. The OBBB raised the U.S. debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Separately, House and Senate Republicans also succeeded in passing a rescissions package by July 18 which rescinded $9.4 billion in funding previously authorized by Congress for foreign aid and public broadcasting. 

Tariff and trade negotiations accelerated during July. After extending an initial July 9 deadline to reach tariff deals, in late July President Trump announced that tariff agreements were reached with several major trading partner countries, including Japan and the EU, although full details were not disclosed. These agreements are subject to ongoing legal challenges to President Trump’s tariff authority. A federal appeals court is considering a case regarding the constitutionality of President Trump’s use of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. A lower court ruled against the President, but its decision is paused pending the appeal. Ultimately, the Supreme Court may decide the matter. 

TECH POLICY PRIORITIES 

Intermediary Liability/Content Moderation. House Judiciary Chair Jordan (R-OH) led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Brussels and London in late July to meet with tech policy officials. The impact of EU and UK tech laws and regulations on the United States, particularly in relation to freedom of speech, is a major focus for Chairman Jordan. Just prior to this Congressional trip, the House Judiciary Committee released a majority staff report critical of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), characterizing the DSA as a foreign censorship threat. 

Federal Privacy. The House Energy & Commerce Privacy Working Group staff expects to complete its series of stakeholder meetings on comprehensive federal consumer data and security legislation by August 7. The staff plans to work on drafting legislative text during the August Congressional break. Prospects reportedly are favorable for future Congressional floor votes on the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and on app store age verification legislation. 

Copyright/IP. House Judiciary IP Subcommittee Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA) plans to release a discussion draft of foreign piracy website blocking legislation. Chairman Issa invited stakeholders to comment on a draft framework of this legislation during the summer. While litigation addressing generative AI and copyright liability advances in a number of federal courts, President Trump has called for a “common sense” approach to AI and IP rights protection that would allow for unfettered AI development and support U.S. leadership. 

Antitrust/Competition. A decision on remedies in the federal Google antitrust case addressing search is expected in the near future. A US District Judge in New Jersey rejected Apple’s petition to dismiss the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit alleging that Apple has a monopoly over smartphone software.

Broadband. The Senate confirmed Arielle Roth as NTIA Administrator on July 23. She will lead execution of many of the Trump Administration’s tech priorities, including broadband deployment and the ongoing BEAD program as well as spectrum allocation. In early July, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr unveiled his “Build America” agenda, outlining plans to speed up broadband deployment and permitting and to increase deregulation.

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.