Guthrie: Republicans Plan 'New Course' to 'Close the Digital Divide' After BEAD Issues
House Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., said during the panel’s Wednesday organizational meeting (see 2501130031) that Republicans are “prepared to put the country on a new course” from the Biden administration’s approach “where we close the digital divide and make sure everyone can enjoy the exciting technological developments that have only just begun.” Guthrie is among congressional GOP leaders open to clawing back $42.5 billion allocated to the BEAD program (see 2412270035).
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The Biden administration “failed on its promise to connect all Americans by bogging down the [BEAD program] with unnecessary red tape that prevented even a single American from being connected despite a $42 billion price tag,” Guthrie said during the Wednesday House Commerce meeting. “American leadership must extend into the development and deployment of emerging technologies. By removing burdensome regulations and encouraging innovation, we will make sure that our economy can outcompete the Chinese Communist Party. Our leadership in [AI], advanced manufacturing, and wireless technologies will create jobs and unlock a generation of growth and prosperity.”
House Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said he hopes the panel’s history of bipartisan cooperation “will continue this Congress,” but panel Democrats “will aggressively fight Republican efforts to gut … protections that Democrats have fought so hard to enact over the years.” House Commerce should focus “on fighting on behalf of the American people, not billionaires and giant corporate interests,” Pallone said. “We should be focused on lowering everyday costs for American families, growing our economy” and “protecting consumers.”
House Commerce approved its subcommittees’ leaders, including Communications Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and ranking member Doris Matsui, D-Calif. Matsui said she’s “particularly focused on continuing ... to increase innovation and equity in technology. That means closing the digital divide and the homework gap by ensuring every American has access to fast, affordable broadband no matter where they live." She added, "It means ensuring the progress of better connectivity, more sophisticated devices, and modern networks lead to lasting prosperity for our children and grandchildren.”
Guthrie said Tuesday night he added five Republicans to House Communications besides Hudson, who was previously a member but wasn’t part of the subpanel during the last Congress. The new Communications Republicans are: Reps. Julie Fedorchak (N.D.), Russell Fry (S.C.), Craig Goldman (Texas), Erin Houchin (Ind.) and Tom Kean (N.J.). Previous Communications member Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., left House Commerce upon his election as Education Committee chairman. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, is also no longer a subpanel member.