Last week, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., brought back the “Broadband Buildout Accountability Act.”
The bill, which Scott first introduced in February 2022, will “increase transparency for a $42 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package (BIF) broadband buildout grant awarded to the National Technology Information Administration (NTIA), which is currently exempted from transparency requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)” and “remove the FOIA exemption and require proof of how the $42 billion is spent to ensure taxpayer dollars are not misused.”
Scott weighed in on why he reintroduced the bill last week.
“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. 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. My Broadband Buildout Accountability Act will increase transparency and help ensure this taxpayer money is spent with maximum accountability and return on investment. Spending taxpayer dollars should be a crystal clear process. I urge my colleagues to support this bill which increases government accountability and transparency to Americans everywhere.” Scott said.
Scott rounded up eight co-sponsors on the Republican side, including U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-SD, and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
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