February 11, 2026— As Congress intensifies its focus on closing the digital divide, lifting permitting burdens, and ensuring America’s technological leadership against China, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) will participate as a keynote speaker at America’s Communications Association’s (ACA Connects) annual Summit. ACA Connects announced today he will take the mainstage for a fireside chat with its President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer.
As the House’s top lawmaker overseeing the nation’s telecommunications policy, Chairman Guthrie plays a central role in shaping legislation that determines how broadband networks are regulated, built, and deployed in rural and hard‑to‑serve communities. His appearance comes at a pivotal moment as Congress works on permitting reform and the administration awards historic investments to accelerate broadband deployment nationwide.
“Chairman Guthrie is leading the conversation in Congress on the issues most important to our Members,” said Spellmeyer. “As Energy and Commerce Chairman, he understands that smart policy, streamlined permitting, and a light-touch regulatory environment are essential to getting affordable, high-speed internet to rural communities. This will be a must‑see conversation about how bipartisan goals are turned into real‑world results for the communities our providers proudly serve.”
Congressman Brett Guthrie represents Kentucky’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Guthrie was recognized for his leadership and was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the oldest standing legislative committee in the House with broad jurisdiction over our nation’s energy, health care, telecommunications, and consumer product safety policies.
The theme for this year’s ACA Connects Summit is “We’re Building!” This event attracts hundreds of community-based independent operators, communications industry vendor partners, and rural broadband advocates who are bridging the digital divide, bringing cutting-edge technologies, and spurring economic development in communities across America. Learn more and register at ACAConnects.org/Summit.
The Summit will also feature a top cybersecurity official from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), GCI’s CEO Ron Duncan, and ACA Connects’ legal experts and government affairs specialists. More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, including an additional congressional keynote speaker.
Members of the press interested in attending the Summit should contact Olivia Shields at [email protected].
America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects) is a trade organization representing approximately 500 small and medium-sized, independent companies that provide high-speed internet, video, phone, and mobile services covering 29 million households. ACA Connects members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of independent operators, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation. For more information, visit www.acaconnects.org.