House Commerce Leaders Ask NTIA for BEAD Communications with States

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2024 – The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday opened an investigation into the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s handling of state plans for the Biden administration’s broadband expansion program.

Republican lawmakers have been chiding NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson and the agency on the issue for months, accusing NTIA of violating the Infrastructure Act’s ban on rate regulation by asking states to set price caps for low-income households served by newly subsidized infrastructure. 

The same law requires some kind of low-cost offering from participating ISPs, but the GOP has taken issue with the agency's method of administering the rule. House Democrats have supported the policy, urging the NTIA to “prioritize affordability” as it manages the program.