EveryLibrary Institute Supports NDIA’s Lawsuit to Restore the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program
The EveryLibrary Institute fully supports the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in their lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s termination of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program. Enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2021, the Digital Equity Act represents one of the most significant national commitments to closing the digital divide in the United States.
As the lawsuit states, the administration’s unilateral termination of this congressionally mandated program not only exceeds executive authority but also represents a significant setback for digital inclusion, educational access, and community connectivity nationwide. By dismantling the Competitive Grant Program, the Trump Administration has ignored Congress’s direction and abandoned the constitutional balance of powers, leaving communities without the resources they were promised and the infrastructure they urgently need.
The EveryLibrary Institute has long supported the library community in preparing to participate in the Digital Equity Act grant programs. Through resources like our Digital Equity Act Language Review and related training sessions, we have helped public libraries, state libraries, and community partners align their work with the Act’s intent and develop competitive, community-centered proposals.
We are deeply disappointed that the Administration’s refusal to fund these grants has halted many promising projects. Across every state, libraries and their partners were ready to help millions of Americans gain the tools, skills, and support needed to thrive in a digital world. These plans are now void due to this unlawful policy reversal.
“The Digital Equity Act represented an extraordinary opportunity to bring the power of connectivity and digital literacy to every community in America,” said John Chrastka, Executive Director of the EveryLibrary Institute. “Libraries and local organizations across the country had well-developed, innovative proposals ready to serve people of all ages and backgrounds. The Administration’s decision to terminate this program denies those communities a fair chance to participate in the digital economy and undermines the bipartisan intent of Congress.”
As NDIA’s Executive Director Angela Siefer has stated, “The digital divide isn’t just a digital resource gap; it’s a civil rights crisis.” The EveryLibrary Institute concurs. Equitable access to information, technology, and learning is essential for a functioning civil society. The elimination of the Digital Equity Act grant programs authorized by Congress undermines the rights and dignity of Americans from all walks of life.
The EveryLibrary Institute asserts that Congress, not the Executive Branch, holds the constitutional authority to legislate and appropriate funds. The administration's attempt to cancel the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program on the false grounds that it is “unconstitutional” or “discriminatory” represents a direct violation of Article I’s spending and legislative powers, as highlighted in NDIA’s complaint.
While the EveryLibrary Institute is not a party to this lawsuit, we are proud to support NDIA in their courageous and necessary legal action. NDIA’s leadership in bringing this case forward reflects their longstanding commitment to ensuring that every American, regardless of where they live or their background, has the opportunity to thrive in a connected world. We stand with NDIA as they call for a judicial declaration affirming that the Digital Equity Act is constitutional and must be implemented in accordance with Congress’s intentions. Furthermore, we urge the immediate reinstatement of all grant programs authorized under the Act and the resumption of funding for community-based digital inclusion initiatives nationwide.
NDIA played a pivotal role in championing the Digital Equity Act within the larger Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Their vision, coalition-building, and technical expertise were crucial in incorporating libraries, schools, community colleges, and local organizations as key partners in advancing digital inclusion across the country. "Without NDIA, there would not have been a Digital Equity Act, and libraries would have been marginalized or left behind," says John Chrastka, Executive Director of the EveryLibrary Institute. "They have been the conscience and catalyst for this movement from the very beginning. We are proud to support them as they defend not only their work, but also the rights of millions of Americans who rely on access, equity, and information to progress."
As a nonpartisan research and public policy organization, the EveryLibrary Institute advocates for the development and preservation of equitable access to information in all communities. The Digital Equity Act embodies the principles that our public institutions depend upon: fairness, access, and the belief that knowledge and opportunity must be open to all. We believe that the court must restore this vital program, reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority, and uphold every American’s right to connect, learn, and thrive in the digital age.