US Senators Launch Inquiry Into Kamala Harris' Role as 'Broadband Czar'

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr's Criticism

Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner, has criticized the Biden-Harris administration for their failure to connect a single person to high-speed internet in rural America despite their $42.45 billion program. He pointed out that it has been 1,038 days since the program was launched and not a single individual has been connected.

Senators' Concern About VP Harris' Role

A letter from nine US senators, including Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), was featured in a post by Carr. The senators expressed their concern about VP Harris' management of the $42.45 billion program to connect rural America. They warned that the failures are accumulating for VP Harris, citing her unsuccessful role as 'border czar.'

Senators' Letter to VP Harris

In their letter, the senators expressed their serious concerns about Harris' role as the "broadband czar" and the mismanagement of federal broadband initiatives under her leadership. They compared her performance in this role to her performance as "border czar," both marked by poor management and a lack of effectiveness. They pointed out that despite significant federal broadband investments and her promises to deliver broadband to rural areas, not a single person has been connected to the internet using the $42.45 billion allocated for the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Jason Calacanis' Comments

Jason Calacanis, host of the 'All-In' podcast, recently criticized the government for corruption and misuse of funds. He pointed out that United Airlines has installed Starlink on over 1,000 planes, but the FCC insists on spending thousands per rural home for wired connections. These homes are installing Starlink at their own expense while waiting for a cable modem.

Brendan Carr and Elon Musk's Remarks

Carr mentioned that Elon Musk's Starlink had offered the FCC a secured commitment of $1,300 per household for 640,000 rural locations. However, in 2023, the federal government rejected Starlink and decided to spend $100,000 per location instead. Musk confirmed that the FCC rejected Starlink due to "lawfare."

Public Reactions

Several users have expressed their opinions on the issue, with some appreciating the senators for standing up for Americans who need better access, while others questioned where all the allocated money could have possibly gone.

Bottom Line

The Biden-Harris administration's $42.45 billion program to connect rural America to high-speed internet has come under scrutiny due to its failure to connect a single person despite being in operation for over 1,000 days. This has led to an inquiry by nine US senators into VP Harris' role as 'broadband czar.' The situation raises questions about the management of federal funds and the effectiveness of such initiatives. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do share this article with your friends and let's discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.