Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senator John Thune is leading a group of Republican senators in urging the removal of Biden-era regulations on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The senators have addressed their concerns in a letter to Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The senators highlighted their concerns about the implementation of the BEAD program by the Biden administration's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). According to the letter, the NTIA's approach has included "onerous regulations" that have slowed broadband deployment, with no households being connected as a result.

The letter states that removing these regulations would allow states to collaborate effectively with broadband providers, accelerate deployment, and reach underserved communities. "Eliminating these obstacles will empower states to work closely with broadband providers and accelerate deployment, maximize resources, and reach truly unserved and underserved communities without any more delay caused by unnecessary government interference," the senators noted.

In addition to Thune, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Roger Wicker, Deb Fischer, Jerry Moran, Marsha Blackburn, Todd Young, Ted Budd, Eric Schmitt, John Curtis, Bernie Moreno, Tim Sheehy, and Cynthia Lummis.

The letter specifies that regulations, deemed restrictive, undermine rural communities and prioritize government-owned networks over private investments should be reviewed. It also notes that climate change mandates have diverted attention from the program’s main goal.

The senators see this review as an opportunity to fulfill the mission of the BEAD program properly. "Under your leadership, the BEAD program can finally fulfill its long overdue mission," they wrote, highlighting the waste of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary regulations.

The letter concludes by requesting Secretary Lutnick's robust review and addressing the outlined concerns.