WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement on Commerce Secretary Lutwick's "new guidance" on the BEAD program: 

”Sec. Lutnick’s so-called “reform” of the BEAD program won’t connect a single household to highspeed internet anytime soon.  Forcing states to throw out years of careful planning and restart their selection process is bureaucratic whiplash that will delay broadband deployment by at least another year, maybe more, leaving rural families and small businesses disconnected while politicians play games with their future. And now, on top of this chaos, Senate Republicans have proposed an AI moratorium holds the $42 billion BEAD program hostage—it's a one-two punch that ensures the broadband Americans desperately need will remain out of reach.”

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