Ted Cruz urges Biden to stop broadband funding program
- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has faced criticism from Cruz regarding the implementation of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
- Cruz's discontent stems from the bureaucratic processes and mandates imposed on states seeking federal funding.
- With Republicans regaining Congress, potential amendments to the BEAD program may emerge as Cruz seeks to halt its current operations.
In October 2024, Senator Ted Cruz expressed his discontent with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's handling of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was established by Congress in November 2021. Cruz criticized the program as a 'boondoggle' and suggested that the Biden administration should cease its activities. His claims centered on concerns regarding bureaucratic inefficiencies and the imposition of additional requirements on states intended to access federal funds. Cruz's statement coincided with Republicans regaining control in Congress, raising the possibility of significant changes to the BEAD program. The administration had mandated that internet service providers offer a low-cost service option for eligible subscribers, drawing ire from industry groups who felt the requirement constituted unlawful regulation of broadband pricing.