Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and six of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act, bicameral legislation aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated for broadband expansion—funding that has yet to connect a single American to high-speed internet in the last four years. The legislation would remove the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, ensuring the public has the right to request and review documents detailing how the $42 billion provided for broadband development under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being allocated and spent.
“Hardworking Americans deserve to know how and where their tax dollars are being spent, yet records concerning a $42 billion broadband deployment program remain off-limits to the public,” said Senator Curtis. “What’s worse—the program has yet to connect a household to broadband since it started in 2022. By removing disclosure exemptions, our bill would ensure public access to documents that show where the money is going, who is getting it, and how it’s being used—helping to prevent waste, fraud, or mismanagement.”
“Americans deserve to know exactly how the government is spending their money and that it’s in their best interests. With President Trump back in office and committed to bringing transparency to the federal government and cutting down on waste, fraud, and abuse, we must act now to finally bring much-needed accountability on how every tax dollar is being spent,” said Senator Scott. “Our Broadband Buildout Accountability Act will increase transparency and accountability for a $42 billion grant, intended to bring internet to rural communities but has YET to connect a single individual using those funds in the four years it has existed. That’s a failure to the American people, who expect a return on their dollars. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and make it crystal clear to Americans how their dollars are being spent.”
Joining Curtis and Scott as cosponsors of the bill are Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN). Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX) is leading the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Broadband gives internet access to Americans who need it most, especially in rural Tennessee,” said Senator Blackburn.“Transparency is crucial, and the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act will ensure that taxpayer money is spent with accountability and a return on investment.”
“Creating accountability for funds that expand broadband access allows stakeholders, taxpayers and consumers the opportunity to see how distribution decisions are made,” said Senator Moran. “Rural Americans depend on access to reliable internet, and this legislation makes sure programs that support broadband expansion are transparent with how money is being allocated and spent.”
“Broadband investments that I worked hard at securing for Alaska in the bipartisan infrastructure bill will continue to unlock limitless possibilities in terms of telehealth, education and small business opportunities, and importantly, allow Alaskans to connect with one another,” said Senator Sullivan. “This legislation provides the transparency and oversight needed to ensure that funds directed by Congress are spent on deploying broadband, furthering the goal of connecting all Alaskans.”
“Adequate access to high-speed broadband services is critical for connecting communities across Mississippi,” said Senator Wicker.“To achieve this goal, we must ensure that the federal funds are directed to underserved areas in a timely manner. Increasing transparency and accountability in this important program should be something all members of Congress can support.”
“Our bill will provide much-needed transparency to ensure that broadband is effectively being deployed to unserved communities, helping to close the digital divide for all Americans,” said Senator Young.
“It has become overwhelmingly clear that fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars ran rampant during the Biden Administration. It is up to Congress to restore transparency, efficiency, and trust back to the federal government. I am proud to work with Senator Rick Scott on this commonsense legislation,” said Congressman August Pfluger. “The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act will provide greater transparency within the BEAD process, help Congress reverse Biden Administration policies that slow down deployment, and ensure that the $42 billion in taxpayer dollars in broadband investments are being properly used to close the digital divide across America.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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