Seamus Dowdall
Legislative Director, Telecommunications & Technology
About Seamus Dowdall
Seamus is the legislative director for telecommunications & technology on NACo's government affairs team. In this role, Seamus serves as the liaison to NACo's Telecommunications & Technology Policy Steering Committee and advocates directly to federal partners in the Administration and on Capitol Hill to advance policy priorities on issues including broadband deployment and accessibility, wireless technology siting, and emergency communications policy. Seamus also works with county officials from across the country to set organizational priorities and policies for telecommunications & technology issues through hosting regular webinar programming and providing technical assistance resources.
TAKE IT DOWN Act signed into law
The TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes federal authorities at the Federal Trade Commission to remove non-consensual intimate images from digital platforms
NTIA terminates Digital Equity Act grants
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) sent termination of funding letters to recipients of grants authorized under the Digital Equity Act.
Senate passes Joint Resolution to discontinue purchasing of wi-fi hotspots through E-Rate Program
Counties support the full local flexibility of the E-Rate program and a continuation of funding to meet community needs for digital adoption and to close the homework gap.
Congressional leaders introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen technical assistance for rural broadband
The Rural Broadband Assistance Act strengthens local access to federal broadband programs by codifying USDA’s Broadband Technical Assistance Program and ensuring continued support for broadband deployment in rural communities.
U.S House Subcommittee Considers Reauthorization of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
The SLCGP provides critical funding to state and local governments to enhance cybersecurity readiness and protection but is set to expire on September 30, 2025.