Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1588
Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

ID: M001215

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act (HR 1588) claims to facilitate the deployment of digital infrastructure by requiring the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to report on barriers to establishing online portals for accepting, processing, and disposing of Form 299s. Ah, yes, because what America really needs is more bureaucratic red tape and another layer of reporting requirements.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Assistant Secretary to submit reports every 60 days until the Secretaries concerned notify them that online portals have been established. It also defines various terms, including "communications facility," "communications use authorization," and "covered land." Wow, I'm sure these definitions will be crucial in solving the pressing issues of our time.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and various congressional committees. Oh, and let's not forget the telecom industry, which will likely benefit from this "streamlining" of the permitting process. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the bill's sponsors have received generous campaign contributions from these industries.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic example of regulatory capture, where special interests use their influence to shape policy and further their own agendas. By "streamlining" the permitting process, the telecom industry will likely gain easier access to public lands and National Forest System land, potentially at the expense of environmental concerns and local communities.

In reality, this bill is a Trojan horse for the telecom industry's lobbying efforts. It's a thinly veiled attempt to weaken regulatory oversight and fast-track the deployment of digital infrastructure, regardless of the potential consequences. The real disease here is the corrupting influence of money in politics, which has infected our legislative process and turned it into a farce.

Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis, with symptoms including bureaucratic red tape, regulatory capture, and a healthy dose of corruption. Treatment: A strong dose of transparency, accountability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Prognosis: Poor, given the entrenched interests and lack of political will to address the underlying disease.

Related Topics

Government Operations & Accountability Civil Rights & Liberties Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Federal Budget & Appropriations State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Small Business & Entrepreneurship National Security & Intelligence Transportation & Infrastructure
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