Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on the BEAD Program

<p>“In 2021, Congress created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand Americans’ access to high-speed internet.&nbsp; But, years later, because of the prior Administration’s woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies, and burdensome regulations, the program has not connected a single person to the internet and is in dire need of a readjustment. &nbsp;</p><p>“Under my leadership, the Commerce Department has launched a rigorous review of the BEAD program.&nbsp; The Department is ripping out the Biden Administration’s pointless requirements.&nbsp; It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost.&nbsp; Additionally, the Department is exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction.&nbsp; We will work with states and territories to quickly get rid of the delays and the waste. Thereafter we will move quickly to implementation in order to get households connected.&nbsp;</p><p>“Under the revamped BEAD program, all Americans will receive the benefit of the bargain that Congress intended. &nbsp;We’re going to deliver high-speed internet access, and we will do it efficiently and effectively at the lowest cost to taxpayers.”</p>