Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) launched a bipartisan offensive Wednesday, introducing the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act to shine a spotlight on the $42 billion in taxpayer funds earmarked for broadband expansion—money that, four years in, has yet to connect a single American to high-speed internet.
Joined by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) in the House, Scott’s bill aims to root out waste and ensure rural communities finally see results.
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“Americans deserve to know exactly how the government is spending their money and that it’s in their best interests,” Scott said. “With President Trump back in office and committed to cutting down on waste, fraud, and abuse, we must act now. Our bill will increase transparency for a $42 billion grant intended to bring internet to rural communities but has yet to connect a single individual in four years. That’s a failure to the American people.”
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, launched in 2021 under the Biden administration, promised to bridge the digital divide but has been mired in delays and opacity. Scott and his co-sponsors slammed its track record, noting that despite billions allocated, rural households remain offline. “Hardworking Americans deserve to know how and where their tax dollars are being spent,” said Sen. John Curtis, pointing to the program’s secrecy as a red flag for potential mismanagement.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn emphasized the stakes for rural areas like Tennessee: “Broadband gives internet access to Americans who need it most. This act will ensure taxpayer money is spent with accountability and a return on investment.” Sen. Roger Wicker added, “Adequate access to high-speed broadband is critical for connecting communities across Mississippi. We must ensure federal funds are directed to underserved areas in a timely manner.”
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In the House, Rep. August Pfluger framed the bill as a rebuke to Biden-era inefficiencies. “Fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars ran rampant during the Biden Administration,” he said. “This commonsense legislation will provide greater transparency within the BEAD process and ensure the $42 billion is properly used to close the digital divide.”
The legislation would strip disclosure exemptions, making public the details of fund allocation, recipients, and usage. Supporters, including Sen. Dan Sullivan, see it as vital for states like Alaska, where broadband could unlock telehealth and economic opportunities. “This provides the oversight needed to ensure funds are spent on deployment,” Sullivan said.
With Trump’s return to the White House amplifying calls for fiscal accountability, Scott’s bill could force a reckoning for a program critics call a boondoggle. As Congress weighs the measure, rural America watches—still waiting for the internet they were promised.
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