Seamus Dowdall
Legislative Director, Telecommunications & Technology | Veterans and Military Services
About Seamus Dowdall
Seamus is the legislative director for telecommunications & technology and veterans & military services on NACo's government affairs team. In this role, Seamus serves as the liaison to NACo's Telecommunications & Technology Policy Steering Committee and Veterans & Military Services Advisory Council. Seamus advocates directly to federal partners in the Administration and on Capitol Hill to advance policy priorities on issues including broadband deployment and accessibility, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, as well as key issues for the nation's veterans community. Seamus previously worked for POLITICO as an accounts manager for state news bureaus. Seamus received his Bachelor's Degree from Bucknell University, and Masters Degree from American University.
House committee passes local broadband permitting preemption bills
The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 would enact new restrictions on a variety of state and local land use and zoning authorities pertaining to the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
White House signs Executive Order on state AI lawmaking
President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) aimed at mobilizing federal agencies to challenge existing state laws on artificial intelligence.
FCC considers preemption of local authorities in broadband permitting process
Counties are partners in broadband deployment efforts – not barriers – and pursuing one-size-fits-all regulations will further burden progress towards closing the digital divide
Congress Considers Bills to Reauthorize State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
Congress is considering two bills to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Program
Congress votes to end longest federal government shutdown in history
On November 12, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a Continuing Resolution and funding package (CR) to end the shutdown of the federal government that began October 1.
DOJ to Revisit Web Accessibility Rule, Aiming to Reduce Implementation Costs for Counties
DOJ has announced plans to explore ways to lower the cost of compliance with its 2024 Final Rule on web-based accessibility requirements for state and local governments.