Vice President Kamala Harris faces mounting criticism over the $42 billion broadband initiative, with no new internet connections to show for it after nearly three years.
At a Glance
- The $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has yet to connect a single home to high-speed internet
- Republican senators accuse Harris of mismanagement and lack of effectiveness in her role as “broadband czar”
- Critics argue that focus on climate mandates and union labor issues has caused significant delays
- The program’s slow progress could have political repercussions, especially in swing states
Widespread Criticism of Program Management
Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire for her handling of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone initiative of the Biden administration aimed at expanding internet access to underserved rural areas. Despite the program’s hefty price tag and lofty goals, critics argue that it has failed to deliver any tangible results in the form of new broadband connections.
Nine Senate Republicans, led by Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have voiced their concerns about the program’s effectiveness. In a strongly worded statement, they declared that Harris’s performance as “broadband czar” has “mirrored your performance as ‘border czar,’ marked by poor management and a lack of effectiveness despite significant federal broadband investments and your promises to deliver broadband to rural areas.”
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Senators write Vice President Kamala Harris over her mismanagement of a $42 billion program to expand Internet.
After 1️⃣,0️⃣3️⃣8️⃣ days “not a single person has been connected to the internet using the $42.45 billion.” pic.twitter.com/F6RUBgoNwq
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) September 18, 2024
Delays and Regulatory Hurdles
The BEAD program, managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Commerce Department, has been plagued by delays and regulatory hurdles. Critics argue that the administration has added “partisan, extralegal requirements” related to climate change, broadband affordability, and union labor, which have significantly slowed the deployment process.
“It appears that your performance as ‘broadband czar’ has mirrored your performance as ‘border czar,’ marked by poor management and a lack of effectiveness despite significant federal broadband investments and your promises to deliver broadband to rural areas,” – Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and seven others
The situation in Virginia exemplifies the program’s challenges. Despite being allocated nearly $1.5 billion for broadband expansion, the state has yet to utilize any of the funds due to delays in the approval process. This has led to frustration among local officials and voters, who expected to see tangible improvements in internet access.
Political Implications
The lack of progress in the BEAD program could have significant political ramifications, particularly in swing states where improved internet access was a promised benefit. With the upcoming election looming, the Biden-Harris administration faces increasing pressure to showcase concrete achievements from this massive investment.
“People need to see it,” said Lynlee Thorne, a political director for Democratic campaign group Rural Groundgame, which helps lead campaigns for Virginia state seats. “It’s got to be a lot more concrete. We’re past the point of being able to earn people’s votes based on the status quo or just hope.”
The slow rollout of the program has not gone unnoticed by the public, with criticism mounting on social media platforms. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has been particularly vocal about the program’s shortcomings, highlighting the absence of new internet connections despite the substantial financial investment.
As the BEAD program continues to face scrutiny, the Biden administration maintains that it is on track and following a 10-year timeline as intended by Congress. However, with no new broadband connections to show after nearly three years and billions of dollars allocated, the pressure is mounting on Vice President Harris to deliver on the promise of universal high-speed internet access for all Americans.
