ARRA Broadband Spending (updated)

The House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep Greg Walden (R-OR), held an oversight hearing on broadband spending allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Members of the Subcommittee heard from the Government Accountability Office and Inspectors General from the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce to address concerns over potential waste, fraud, and abuse. During the hearing, members also discussed draft legislation aimed at improving accountability and returning unused or reclaimed funds to the US Treasury.

Mark Goldstein, director of physical infrastructure issues for the Government Accountability Office, will testify at a House Communications Subcommittee hearing on Feb 10. He'll say that GAO still has concerns about the government's oversight of its Broadband Technology Opportunities Program stimulus grant/loan program, a concern long shared by some legislators and lots of cable operators.

The House Commerce Committee's Communications Subcommittee has scheduled a Feb. 10 hearing on the billions of dollars in broadband stimulus money given out by the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.