Congress

House Passes Trio of Last-Minute Broadband Bills

Two bills target BEAD delays, one focuses on U.S. wireless leadership

Jericho Casper

Dec 18, 2024 — 2 min read

Screenshot of Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla. speaking on the House floor Monday.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2024 – The U.S. House advanced three communications bills Monday, two of which focused on resolving delays lawmakers said could hinder the success of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

H.R. 3343: Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act

The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act, co-introduced by Reps. August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Darren Soto, D-Fla., directly addressed concerns over how permitting delays could hinder BEAD-funded projects.

Speaking on the House floor, Pfluger cited a recent Government Accountability Office report that found the National Telecommunications and Information Administration frequently exceeds the 240-day deadline for reviewing broadband permitting requests on federal lands.

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Congress BEAD Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act August Pfluger Darren Soto GAO NTIA Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act Jeff Duncan Angie Craig Bob Latta Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act Tim Walberg Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation