The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has come to an end after 43 days, allowing stalled federal activity, including several major FCC regulatory proceedings with direct implications for local telecommunications authority, to resume. As Congress finalized the funding deal and federal agencies began reopening, the FCC’s ongoing inquiries into potential preemption of local control in broadband and wireless deployment have regained urgency.
Shutdown Concludes After 43 Days
The shutdown formally ended after the Senate approved a bipartisan funding agreement in a 60–40 vote on Monday, followed by House passage on Wednesday. The President has since signed the measure, reopening agencies and restoring federal operations nationwide. Georgia’s U.S. Senators voted against the package.
The breakthrough came after 14 unsuccessful Senate attempts to advance legislation ended in a revised strategy that allowed the short-term funding bill to be amended to include three full-year appropriations measures. Instead of the House-proposed November 21 expiration, the updated stopgap will now run through January. The three year-long bills provide funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the FDA, and operations of the legislative branch.
A commitment for a mid-December vote on extending health insurance tax credits helped secure Democratic votes, though the decision by eight Democratic & Independent senators to support the package has drawn criticism from within the party. The internal rift is expected to shape congressional dynamics heading into next year’s midterm primaries.
Telecom Preemption Heating Up
With the government reopened, the FCC’s recent actions exploring potential preemption of local authority in telecommunications deployment efforts are once again moving forward. In late September, the FCC issued multiple Notices of Inquiry and proposed rulemakings examining whether local permitting processes, fees, statutes, or regulations create barriers to broadband and wireless expansion.
As the comment periods open or resume, GMA urges cities to engage directly in the rulemaking process. Cities are partners, not obstacles, in broadband deployment, and one-size-fits-all federal regulations risk slowing progress toward closing the digital divide.
FCC Regulatory Proceedings
Notice of Inquiry: Accelerating Wireline Infrastructure Buildout (WC Docket No. 25-253)
This FCC inquiry looks to examine whether state and local statutes, regulations, and legal requirements unlawfully prohibit broadband deployment. The focus is on whether local actions result in the imposition of excessive delays and fees that discourage investments in infrastructure deployment. The FCC is also potentially considering whether state or local laws which seek to govern or limit uses of AI are effectively prohibiting wireline telecommunications services.
Comment Date: November 17, 2025
Reply Comment Date: December 17, 2025
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment (WC Docket No. 17-84)
This order would update the FCC’s pole attachment rules. The aim is to make it easier and faster to deploy broadband networks and seeks comments on ways to expedite pole attachments for broadband infrastructure.
Comment period: to be opened upon end of government shutdown.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Freeing Wireless Infrastructure from Unlawful Regulatory Burdens (WT Docket No. 25-276)
The proposed rule looks to accelerate the deployment and modernization of wireless infrastructure, including 5G and future 6G networks, by streamlining permitting, reducing regulatory barriers, and potentially preempting state and local restrictions.
Comment period: to be opened upon end of government shutdown.