Open RAN Outreach Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2037
Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

ID: C001125

Follow the money

The bill

Open RAN Outreach Act

HR. 2037, 119th Congress — read as touching Telecommunications.

The sponsor

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$90,800 raised

30 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Commerce" section, p. 720-722 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

July 14, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the same geniuses who thought "Obamacare" was a good idea. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Ah, the noble goal of "outreach and technical assistance" to small communications network providers. How touching. In reality, this bill is a Trojan horse for the telecom industry to further consolidate its grip on the market under the guise of "promoting innovation." The real objective? To create a new revenue stream for the big players by "helping" smaller providers adopt Open RAN networks.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Section 2 is where the magic happens. The Assistant Secretary (read: telecom industry lapdog) will provide "outreach and technical assistance" to small providers, which translates to handing out subsidies and grants to those who play ball with the big boys. This bill also conveniently defines "open network architecture" in a way that ensures only the largest players can meet the standards.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: telecom giants, their lobbyists, and the politicians they've bought off. Small providers might get some crumbs from the table, but let's be real, they're just pawns in this game. Taxpayers will foot the bill for these "grants" and "technical assistance," because who needs actual infrastructure investment when you can just hand out corporate welfare?

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of regulatory capture. By creating a new bureaucracy to "help" small providers, the telecom industry ensures that only those who play by their rules will survive. The result? Further consolidation, reduced competition, and higher prices for consumers. But hey, at least the politicians will get some nice campaign contributions out of it.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Corporate Welfare Syndrome," with symptoms including excessive lobbying, regulatory capture, and a complete disregard for the public interest. Treatment? A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of antitrust legislation to break up these telecom monopolies. But let's be real, that's not going to happen anytime soon.

In conclusion, HR 2037 is just another example of how our esteemed lawmakers are more interested in serving their corporate masters than the people who elected them. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

Related Topics

Telecommunications & Broadband AccessHealthcare & Insurance Reform
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$90,800
24 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$27,900
Committees
$0
Individuals
$62,900

No PAC contributions found

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
5 transactions
$13,500
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$5,800
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS GENERAL FUND
1 transaction
$3,300
5
THE AUGUST GROUP
1 transaction
$1,000
6
CAPITELLI & WICKER
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
PRICE, TEDDY
2 transactions
$6,800
2
DOUCET WEST, MADELINE
1 transaction
$3,300
3
TUBRE, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
4
DURAND, GIAN
1 transaction
$3,300
5
HENRY, KIM
1 transaction
$3,300
6
HENRY, TROY
1 transaction
$3,300
7
RUBINSTEIN, ANDREW
1 transaction
$3,300
8
ALVENDIA, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
GOLDEN, CARLTON
1 transaction
$3,300
10
LYNSKEY, KRISTIN
1 transaction
$3,300
11
ADAMS, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GRAHAM, ROBBINS
1 transaction
$3,300
13
MYERS, GINGER
1 transaction
$3,300
14
MYERS, KEITH
1 transaction
$3,300
15
BERGER, RYAN
1 transaction
$3,300
16
DUGAN, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300
17
GUIDRY, RONALD
1 transaction
$3,300
18
PIERCE, WENDELL
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

ID: H001067

Top Contributors

23

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationROCK HILL, SC
$1,500
Mar 5, 2024
4
HENDRICK, JOSEPH RIDDICK III
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS • CHAIRMAN
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$50,000
Dec 12, 2023
5
GROSS, MARK J.
OAK GROVE TECHNOLOGIES • CEO
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
6
WARLICK, ANDERSON D. MR.
PARKDALE MILLS • CEO
IndividualGASTONIA, NC
$50,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
BARNHILL, ROBERT E. MR. JR.
BARNHILL CONTRACTING COMPANY • PRESIDENT
IndividualROCKY MOUNT, NC
$50,000
May 14, 2024
8
HUNTER, FRED NEAL
KNOW BIO LLC • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualDURHAM, NC
$35,000
Mar 31, 2023
9
SULLIVAN, SCOTT C.
CAMERON MANAGEMENT • CO-FOUNDER
IndividualBANNER ELK, NC
$25,000
Dec 29, 2023
10
ALLISON, DENNIS KEITH MR.
SYSTEL • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualFAYETTEVILLE, NC
$25,000
Mar 3, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 43 nodes and 63 connections

Total contributions: $63

Top Donors - Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Showing top 24 donors by contribution amount

6 Orgs18 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • +Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.90

    Section 2(a) provides outreach and technical assistance to small communications network providers regarding Open RAN networks, which benefits telecommunications industry participants by promoting awareness and participation in grant programs.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Commerce

Strong
Vector: 61%
Pages: 720-722AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill’s focus on promoting Open RAN outreach and technical assistance aligns with Project 2025’s NTIA priorities of expanding broadband access, improving spectrum utilization, and supporting 5G deployment through open, innovative network architectures."

Key themes:Open RANbroadband accessspectrum utilizationNTIA5G deployment

— 687 — Department of Commerce that do not allow open access to their markets should not be setting the standards for markets that do allow open access. The incoming Administration should consider increased government-sponsored participation by private companies and government employees with relevant expertise. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICE The independent National Telecommunications and Information Service (NTIS) is charged with ensuring that federally funded research and data are accessible to the public. NTIS operates through user fees but is largely obsolete due to modern usage of the internet by federal agencies and researchers. NTIS’s functions should be moved to NIST and consolidated with the Tech Transfer and ROI initiatives. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) is the exec- utive branch’s statutory lead on telecommunications and information policy. It focuses on broadband access, spectrum utilization, and other issues that are crucial to the high-tech economy. For decades, NTIA has suffered from organizational malaise and will require strong and energetic leadership by political appointees to implement conservative policies. The next Administration will face the primary challenge of rapidly deploying 5G without compromising other priorities. Further recommendations include: l Support free speech and hold big tech accountable. Immediately conduct a thorough review of federal policy regarding free speech online and provide policy solutions to address big tech’s censorship of speech. l Utilize new tools to eliminate threats to national security. Fully implement the Trump Administration’s Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) Executive Order authorities in a way that ensures long-term success and the legal viability of this new national security tool.9 l Expand utilization of federal spectrum. Begin short term, temporary leasing of government allocated spectrum to ensure optimum utilization while preserving federal agency use rights. l Support the commercial space industry. Advocate for licensing decisions at the Federal Communications Commission that continue to enable U.S. dominance in the commercial space industry.

Federal Communications Commission

Strong
Vector: 61%
Pages: 891-894AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill’s focus on promoting Open RAN adoption, supply‑chain innovation, and outreach to small communications providers aligns closely with Project 2025’s FCC objectives of fostering competition, enhancing network security, and expanding broadband access—especially in underserved areas."

Key themes:Open RAN promotionBroadband deploymentSmall provider supportSupply chain securityFCC outreach/technical assistance

— 858 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise ENDNOTES 1. 47 U.S.C. § 151, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/151 (accessed January 23, 2023). 2. 47 U.S.C. § 154, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/154 (accessed January 23, 2023). 3. Ibid. 4. 47 U.S.C. § 154(c). 5. 47 U.S.C. § 154(b)(5). 6. 47 U.S.C. § 155(a), https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/155 (accessed January 23, 2023). 7. Ibid. 8. Ibid. There are no limits on the President’s authority to designate a different Chairperson from among the existing Commissioners. Further, though it is an open question, it is generally believed that the judiciary would impose limits on the power of the President to remove a Commissioner during his or her five-year term. The question is not settled because Congress did not include an express “for cause” or similar protection against removal in the Communications Act itself. Scholars assume this is because Congress passed the Communications Act in the years between the Supreme Court’s decision in Myers v. United States, 272 U.S. 52 (1926) and Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935), when it was not entirely clear that Congress could impose a limit on the President’s removal power. However, the Communications Act was significantly amended in 1996, and Congress did not add “just cause” or other protections from removal at that time. Considering the high-profile contemporary debates about the appointment and removal of independent counsels under the Independent Counsel Act, one could reasonably assume that Congress was aware of removal powers and protections for presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed officials. 9. Chart, “FTEs—Historical and Estimated, Fiscal Years 1986–2023,” in U.S. Federal Communications Commission, 2023 Budget Estimates to Congress, March 2022, p. 17, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-381693A1. pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 10. U.S. Federal Communications Commission, 2023 Budget Estimates to Congress, p. 7. 11. Roslyn Layton, “Spectrum Auctions Have Raised $230 Billion; The FCC’s Authority to Conduct Them Will Lapse Soon If Congress Doesn’t Act,” Forbes, April 29, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ roslynlayton/2022/04/29/spectrum-auctions-have-raised-230-billion-the-fccs-authority-to-conduct-them- will-lapse-soon-if-congress-doesnt-act/?sh=4d32066908eb (accessed January 23, 2023). 12. For a full listing of the FCC’s Bureaus and Offices, along with their functions and an organization chart, see U.S. Federal Communications Commission, “Organizational Charts of the FCC,” https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/ organizational-charts-fcc (accessed January 23, 2023). 13. 47 U.S.C. § 230, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230 (accessed January 23, 2023). 14. Thomas M. Johnson Jr., “The FCC’s Authority to Interpret Section 230 of the Communications Act,” October 21, 2020, https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/blog/2020/10/21/fccs-authority-interpret-section-230- communications-act (accessed January 23, 2023). 15. This chapter does not purport to set forth a comprehensive agenda for the FCC. Rather, it focuses on a selected handful of issue areas that may quickly rise to the attention of a new Administration. Similarly, not every contributor to this chapter agrees with every policy idea included here; this document attempts to reflect a range of views and perspectives. 16. Johnson, “The FCC’s Authority to Interpret Section 230 of the Communications Act.” 17. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, “NTIA Petition for Rulemaking to Clarify Provisions of Section 230 of the Communications Act,” July 27, 2020, https:// ntia.gov/fcc-filing/ntia-petition-rulemaking-clarify-provisions-section-230-communications-act (accessed January 23, 2023). 18. Malwarebytes, Inc. v. Enigma Software, 592 U.S. ___ (2020) (Thomas, J., statement respecting the denial of certiorari), https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1284_869d.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 19. See 47 U.S.C. § 230; see also Ray Baum’s Act of 2018, Division P, Title IV, § 401 (codifying the Consolidated Reporting Act), in H.R. 1625, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law No. 115-141, 115th Congress, March 23, 2018, https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ141/PLAW-115publ141.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 20. NetChoice, L.L.C. v. Paxton, 49 F.4th 439 (5th Cir. 2022), https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/ gdpzqyobyvw/alisonn%201.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). — 859 — Federal Communications Commission 21. Hal J. Singer and Ted Tatos, Subsidizing Universal Broadband Through a Digital Advertising Services Fee: An Alignment of Incentives, Econ One, September 2021, p. 1 (“[T]he current USF mechanism is unsustainable and will fail to meet the needs of its target consumer base within the next five years.”), https://www.econone.com/ wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Digital-Divide-HSinger-TTatos-2.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 22. FBI Director Christopher Wray, testimony in video of hearing, Worldwide Threats to the Homeland, Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, November 15, 2022, at 02:27, https://democrats- homeland.house.gov/activities/hearings/11/04/2022/worldwide-threats-to-the-homeland (accessed January 23, 2023); John D. McKinnon, Arunav Viswanatha, and Stu Woo, “TikTok National-Security Deal Faces More Delays as Worry Grows Over Risks,” The Wall Street Journal, updated December 6, 2022, https://www.wsj. com/articles/tiktok-national-security-deal-faces-more-delays-as-worry-grows-over-risks-11670342800 (accessed January 23, 2023). 23. U.S. Federal Communications Commission, “List of Equipment and Services Covered by Section 2 of the Secure Networks Act,” updated September 20, 2022, https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist (accessed January 23, 2023). 24. H.R. 820, Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act, 118th Congress, introduced February 2, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr820/BILLS-118hr820ih.pdf (accessed March 6, 2023). 25. U.S. Department of State, “The Clean Network,” https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-clean-network/index.html (accessed January 23, 2023). 26. U.S. Government Accountability Office, Broadband: National Strategy Needed to Guide Federal Efforts to Reduce Digital Divide, GAO-22-104611, May 2022, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-104611.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 27. Document No. 144, “Federal Communications Commission: Message from the President of the United States Recommending that Congress Create a New Agency to be Known as the Federal Communications Commission,” U.S. Senate, 73rd Cong., 2nd Sess., February 26, 1934, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/ DOC-298207A1.pdf (accessed January 23, 2023). 28. 47 U.S.C, Chapter 5, §§ 151 et seq., (accessed March 6, 2023).

Department of Commerce

Strong
Vector: 60%
Pages: 720-722AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns strongly with Project 2025's emphasis on expanding broadband deployment in rural and underserved areas, supporting open network architectures like Open RAN to foster innovation and competition, and enhancing NTIA's role in telecommunications policy. It directly supports the goal of reevaluating broadband grant programs to prioritize widespread 5G infrastructure deployment in under-served communities."

Key themes:broadband deploymentrural connectivityOpen RANNTIA leadershipWireless Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program

— 687 — Department of Commerce that do not allow open access to their markets should not be setting the standards for markets that do allow open access. The incoming Administration should consider increased government-sponsored participation by private companies and government employees with relevant expertise. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICE The independent National Telecommunications and Information Service (NTIS) is charged with ensuring that federally funded research and data are accessible to the public. NTIS operates through user fees but is largely obsolete due to modern usage of the internet by federal agencies and researchers. NTIS’s functions should be moved to NIST and consolidated with the Tech Transfer and ROI initiatives. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) is the exec- utive branch’s statutory lead on telecommunications and information policy. It focuses on broadband access, spectrum utilization, and other issues that are crucial to the high-tech economy. For decades, NTIA has suffered from organizational malaise and will require strong and energetic leadership by political appointees to implement conservative policies. The next Administration will face the primary challenge of rapidly deploying 5G without compromising other priorities. Further recommendations include: l Support free speech and hold big tech accountable. Immediately conduct a thorough review of federal policy regarding free speech online and provide policy solutions to address big tech’s censorship of speech. l Utilize new tools to eliminate threats to national security. Fully implement the Trump Administration’s Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) Executive Order authorities in a way that ensures long-term success and the legal viability of this new national security tool.9 l Expand utilization of federal spectrum. Begin short term, temporary leasing of government allocated spectrum to ensure optimum utilization while preserving federal agency use rights. l Support the commercial space industry. Advocate for licensing decisions at the Federal Communications Commission that continue to enable U.S. dominance in the commercial space industry. — 688 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Defend U.S. interests in international bodies. Strong representation at the International Telecommunication Union should protect the interests of both private and government users of spectrum. The U.S. has differing needs from many other countries, for instance, because of U.S. government satellites and commercial space industry. NTIA should work with the U.S. delegation to ensure maximum adoption of the U.S. position. l Set fresh priorities in broadband grant programs. Reevaluate broadband grant programs and, when possible, establish Administration priorities in how each grant is structured. First and foremost, widespread deployment of infrastructure is needed for 5G adoption in rural and exurban areas, which will be a key factor in future economic competitiveness for these under-served communities. l Review FirstNet. Evaluate the performance and long-term value proposition of FirstNet in view of modern technologies that will render it obsolete. CONCLUSION The above policies, strategies, and tactics will set a new Administration on firm footing that allows the Department of Commerce to assist the President in implementing a bold agenda that delivers economic prosperity and strong national security to the American people. While many of the department’s functions fall outside the remit of the federal government, its unique authorities in diverse areas provide critical tools that can and should be brought to bear in implementing a conservative governing philosophy that keeps Americans safe and provides oppor- tunity for all. AUTHOR’S NOTE: This chapter includes invaluable input from over a dozen alumni of the Department of Commerce and numerous other members of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. All contributors to this chapter are listed at the front of this volume, but James Rockas, Nazak Nikakhtar, Louis Heinzer, Robert Burkett, Iain Murray, Michael Gonzalez, David Legates, and Kristen Eichamer deserve special recognition. The author alone assumes responsibility for the content of this chapter, and no views expressed herein should be attributed to any other individual.

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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