On Aug. 11, U.S. Rep August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) introduced a bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives that looks to protect taxpayer dollars in the federal government’s broadband investment. The proposed measure is the companion to legislation introduced on the U.S. Senate floor by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL).
“As a member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I have been working to help close the digital divide – which greatly affects our district and much of rural America,” Pfluger said in a press release issued by his office. “I am proud to work with Sen. Rick Scott in introducing the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act to provide greater transparency within the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) process and ensure that $42 billion taxpayer dollars are not subject to fraud, waste or misuse.”
Per the congressman’s release, the focus of the bill is a BEAD Program grant awarded to the National Technology Information Administration (NTIA), which currently isn’t required to abide by transparency requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act (BBAA) would eliminate the FOIA exemption.
According to Scott’s office, the Senate version of the measure was introduced in April.
“Americans deserve to know how the government is spending their money – especially on a $42 billion grant that will help get essential internet services to those that need it most,” the senator said in Pfluger’s release. “This is not the government’s money, it is the hard-earned dollars of American taxpayers and they should know exactly how every cent is being spent … Spending taxpayer dollars should be a crystal clear process.”
Scott is joined on his bill by fellow Republican Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Mike Lee of Utah; Todd Young of Indiana; Roger Wicker of Mississippi; John Thune of South Dakota; Jerry Moran of Kansas and Dan Sullivan of Arkansas.
Pfluger’s bill lists U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (R-TX), Judge Carter (R-TX), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Neal P. Dunn (R-FL), Troy Balderson (R-OH) and John Joyce (R-PA).