BEAD program, funding pause and implementation questioned by senators

Senators repeatedly pressed Howard Lutnick on the administration's pause and implementation of the NTIA Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which members described as a $42 billion appropriation to connect unserved households. Several senators said the program had yet to connect households and that administrative requirements imposed under the previous administration were deterring providers.

Why this matters: BEAD represents a major federal investment in broadband infrastructure intended to reach rural and underserved urban households. Delays or changes in eligibility requirements and application procedures affect state planning, service providers and the timeline for connecting households.

Sen. John Thune noted the program "provides over $42,000,000,000" and said the BEAD design had not connected a single household, arguing requirements imposed by the prior administration discouraged participation. Lutnick said he would "work to make sure congress gets the benefit of the bargain," advocating efficient deployment and use of technologies including fiber, wireless and satellite.

Several senators from states with large rural areas — including Sen. John Thune (SD), Sen. Mike Rounds (not present) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) in other exchanges — asked for commitments that funds already allocated to approved state plans would be released and used to complete buildout. Lutnick said he would read state-approved plans and work to deliver the appropriations "efficiently and effectively," but he declined to answer hypotheticals about following direct orders that would require withholding lawfully appropriated funds without legal review by department counsel.

Lutnick said he would prioritize efficient program execution and combat fraud and waste, and he pledged to work with states and the committee to get funds into the hands of qualifying providers and to rely on cost-effective technologies to reach households.