Lujan Pushes NTIA's Roth to Restore Digital Equity Grants, Release BEAD Funding
Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., urged new NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth on Thursday “to immediately restore” $550 million allocated for the fifth year of funding for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Digital Equity Act program, which President Donald Trump suspended in May (see 2505090051), “and swiftly approve and release BEAD funding to states like New Mexico.” Lujan and other Senate Commerce Committee Democrats cited Roth's lack of clear answers on the administration's plans for the $42.5 billion BEAD program as a reason to vote against advancing her confirmation in April (see 2504090037). The Senate confirmed Roth last week (2507230064).
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“I urge you to fulfill your commitments to Congress that you will ‘follow the law,’ ‘act impartially,’ and ‘deliver the best broadband service possible for all Americans,’” Lujan said in a letter to Roth. “Congressionally appropriated funds for the Digital Equity Act and the BEAD program are not optional -- they are essential. They represent not only a historic investment in our infrastructure, but a statutory obligation to the people of New Mexico and every unserved and underserved community across this country.” NTIA didn't immediately comment.