Why It Matters
Verizon Communications Inc. lists lobbying on H.R. 46, the Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act, and S. 5054, the Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2026. H.R. 46 would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prioritize processing applications for rural broadband expansion projects in areas with the shortest construction seasons, while S. 5054 would remove bonus depreciation for AI data centers and require large data centers to disclose electricity and water use.
Both bills were referred to committee, H.R. 46 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and S. 5054 to the Committee on Finance.
By the Numbers
Verizon's in-house third-quarter 2026 report lists $2,820,000 in lobbying. Verizon's third-quarter 2026 include outside firms including BGR Government Affairs LLC, Alpine Advisors LLC, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, and trAction Strategic LLC.
The in-house filing lists 12 lobbyists: Josh Lynch, vice president for federal government relations, with prior Senate Commerce Committee service; Hank Kilgore, vice president for federal legislative affairs, with prior House Energy and Commerce Committee service; Shawn Bone, assistant vice president for federal government relations, with Senate Commerce Committee service across six Congresses; Anna Kain, Marie Policastro, Robert Fisher, Mark Mullet, Brooks Brunson, Sydney Pettit, Marcela Zamora, Danny Butherus, and Christina Mason.
Broader Context
H.R. 46 was introduced Jan. 3, 2025, by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-1) and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where it remains with no further action. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-1), was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Rural Broadband Protection Act became law in May, directing the FCC to open a rulemaking to vet high-cost broadband program applicants; an FCC fact sheet dated Oct. 8 described that rulemaking as forthcoming.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-9), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, brought Verizon officials to Moore County, N.C., to view areas with poor cell service the day before issuing a July 9 press release, in which he said Verizon planned to expand and upgrade services there.
S. 5054 was introduced July 21, by Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it remains. Warner argued voluntary commitments were inadequate and that developers failing disclosure standards should not receive bonus depreciation. The Tax Foundation opposed the bonus depreciation restriction, arguing it would discourage investment and risk shifting AI development overseas, and estimated the proposal would raise $29.9 billion conventionally over 2027–2036.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article
