Pallone: Trump Administration Changes to the BEAD Program Will Only Further Delay Broadband Funding

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on reports that the Trump Administration intends to change requirements for states to received funding for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program:

“The Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the BEAD program will only further delay getting much-needed funding out the door to connect communities to broadband. Republicans are throwing out years of hard work and forcing states to start from scratch—imposing worse internet service on families and businesses. This is the height of Republican hypocrisy and will cause more confusion and delays.

“It’s especially concerning the Administration is making these changes while the Senate proposes conditioning this broadband funding on states agreeing not to pass AI laws.

“Enough is enough, it’s time to stop playing games with the funding states were promised to bring affordable and reliable high-speed internet to communities that have been left behind for far too long.”

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