On December 16, 2025, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a decision finding that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) June 6 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice is a rule that must be submitted to Congress before taking effect per the Congressional Review Act. The following statement may be attributed to Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Revati Prasad (edited):

The GAO has determined that the NTIA policy notice of June 6th that dramatically changed the BEAD Program is subject to congressional review. By failing to follow the proper process to ensure Congressional oversight, NTIA has again created additional uncertainty and potentially further delay for states. The Benton Institute urges Members of Congress to review the June 6 changes as soon as they are finally submitted and continue to provide meaningful oversight of this critical broadband deployment program, which aims to finally close our access divide.

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org

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Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities