Sen Wicker Praises New Broadband Progress

In addition to rolling back unnecessary restrictions, the Trump administration has changed the way Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funds will be spent. Because of this, many states’ proposals will come in under budget. These states could actually end up with leftover funds from the 2021 broadband legislation. In that law, Congress was clear: States can use this remaining grant money. That policy rewards those who wisely stewarded their deployment funds. It could also help states maximize the impact of the 2021 law—if we direct the funds wisely. I, along with my Senate colleagues, have been discussing how to make sure these leftover funds are spent effectively.