NE Washington News

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at the Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report.”

“Broadband connectivity is critical to our everyday life and winning the future. It’s what connects our work, schools, businesses, hospitals, and more,” said Rodgers. She emphasized that broadband helps create opportunities for growth, learning, and fostering relationships—opportunities that many rural Americans have lacked for too long.

Rodgers highlighted the committee's ongoing efforts to close the digital divide through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). She noted that in this Congress alone, they have heard from NTIA Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson three times, advanced major legislation addressing barriers to broadband permitting, and opened an investigation into NTIA’s transparency issues regarding BEAD implementation.

Expressing concerns about NTIA’s administration of BEAD, Rodgers stated that Republicans on the committee are worried that NTIA’s guidelines will undermine the program's success by wasting tax dollars while leaving Americans without necessary broadband access. She criticized NTIA for actions leading to increased costs and longer deployment timelines.

“NTIA’s decision to pressure states to regulate rates charged for broadband service—despite the law strictly prohibiting rate regulation—will make this program less attractive to providers needed for BEAD’s success,” Rodgers said. She also accused NTIA of pushing a radical agenda with unnecessary workforce and climate-related requirements that increase operational costs.

Rodgers acknowledged some positive steps by NTIA but noted delays in approval processes as a significant issue. “It has been nearly 14 months since states received their initial allocations from NTIA, yet the administration still has not approved 16 initial state proposals,” she pointed out.

Vice President Harris was tasked by President Biden as the Broadband Czar; however, Rodgers claimed this resulted in little progress due to heavy-handed federal bureaucracy. The hearing aimed to gather insights from state representatives and providers on how Congress can ensure BEAD achieves its goal of connecting every American.

Rodgers concluded by stressing the importance of Congressional oversight: “Everyone here today wants BEAD to succeed... Our mission remains that every American be connected.”

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