Rep Carter (D-LA) Challenges Trump Administration’s Taxpayer Funded Handout to Elon Musk While Leaving Broadband Funding for Louisiana in Limbo

In January of this year, Louisiana became the first state in the nation to secure federal approval for our plan to deploy over $1.3 billion in BEAD funding. This achievement is a testament to the bipartisan nature of Louisiana’s approach to universal connectivity and illustrates how we should all strive to treat broadband access in our states. The state began the BEAD application process under Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. It completed its plan under Republican Governor Jeff Landry, who called this program ‘a generational investment that will create thousands of jobs, drive billions in economic growth, and transform Louisiana communities in all 64 parishes. However, after the Trump administration took office, just a week after Louisiana received approval for its final proposal, the Commerce Department withheld the funding that would have otherwise put shovels in the ground in just six weeks. Unfortunately, the Trump administration decided to overhaul the BEAD program, upending years of planning and forcing all states, including Louisiana, to scrap their work and start over. The administration’s program changes prioritize short-term cost savings and Elon Musk's business interests, namely Starlink, over the durable, future-proof connectivity of fiber optic cable. Millions of Americans will now receive second-tier internet coverage technologies, including in my district and many other areas across Louisiana. While the state’s new plan for BEAD-funded infrastructure deployment has finally been approved (again) under the Trump administration’s new rules, an estimated $800 million in BEAD funding allocated to Louisiana that the state plans to use for ‘non-deployment’ initiatives remains in limbo, awaiting federal approval. I agree with Governor Landry that states need guidance and quick approval of these remaining non-deployment funds, which will go towards vital initiatives in Louisiana such as improving rural telehealth and workforce development. Finally, I want to thank the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) and Executive Director Veneeth Iyengarfor partnering with me to make this funding a reality.