Broadband Connectivity in America: Rep. McClain Delaney Calls Out Commerce Department for Unlawfully Withholding Billions Owed to the States for Universal Broadband

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Representative April McClain Delaney (MD-06) led a letter with her House colleagues demanding that the Department of Commerce explain its continued withholding of appropriated funds that Congress explicitly authorized under its historic $65 billion-dollar internet initiative known as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Authorized under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and overseen by Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), this program represents the largest federal investment in history aimed at bridging the digital divide and delivering affordable, high-speed internet to every home in America.

Prior to serving as a Member of Congress, Rep. McClain Delaney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator at NTIA under the Biden-Harris Administration and helped build and launch the national BEAD program. The Congressional letter, directed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NTIA Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth, again lifted up questions from Members that have gone unanswered for over eight months. Today's letter was also co-signed by Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Troy Carter (LA-02).

Specifically, Members are deeply concerned about the Administration's lack of transparency and the long overdue withholding of "nondeployment funds." Nondeployment funding is appropriated to states for digital literacy and educational inclusion efforts including workforce development, telehealth efforts, cybersecurity, and digital education for seniors and rural communities. Last year, NTIA rescinded all previously approved applications for non-deployment activities from the states with little explanation. At the time of rescission, NTIA promised updated guidance would follow, but nearly a year later, that guidance has yet to be issued, leaving states in limbo and slowing the deployment of billions of dollars Congress explicitly authorized for broadband connectivity.

"BEAD was carefully designed to bring affordable, high-speed broadband to every corner of every state of this country, and to ensure that each state was deeply engaged in the planning, deployment and accessibility of the program for its own residents and for their community needs. This connectivity was aimed at those unserved or underserved communities that had been left behind - including our farming and rural communities - and to further provide the literacy training and workforce skills needed to make best use of that connectivity," said McClain Delaney. "Instead of communicating with states and answering Congress' questions about how it is now evaluating and allocating these funds, DOC has unclearly touted $21 billion in claimed BEAD savings. This raises concerns about whether those funds are purposefully not being utilized by this Administration or whether said funds have been diverted for other unauthorized purposes."

In addition to the Congresswoman's letter to Commerce and NTIA, she is introducing the Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act, which directs NTIA to conduct a comprehensive study of the technologies used to provide broadband internet access services. The study would evaluate key factors such as workforce requirements, geographic deployment capabilities, technology lifespan, and monthly consumer costs across various broadband technologies, from fiber-optic cable to satellites.

"The American people deserve a clear-eyed, technology-by-technology assessment that will help our communities meet 21st Century challenges, and the Department of Commerce must provide the objective analysis that local officials and industry leaders need to make informed decisions," said McClain Delaney. "The American people deserve confidence that every dollar invested is delivering the greatest possible benefit to communities across the country."

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. James Clyburn (SC-06), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Don Beyer (VA-08), Troy Carter (LA-02), Cleo Fields (LA-06), and Shomari Figures (AL-02).

Together, the letter and legislation reflect Congresswoman McClain Delaney's broader push for transparency and accountability in federal broadband investment.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.