Q&A: Senator Thune on his new broadband oversight effort

Senator John Thune (R-SD) is no stranger to broadband issues. The senator previously served as Chairman for the Senate Commerce Committee and today helps oversee the telecom industry as the ranking member on the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband. Sen Thune launched a new broadband oversight effort, sending letters to more than 30 industry associations including CTIA, NTCA, NCTA, and WIA, public interest groups, and free market advocates seeking feedback on the current state of broadband regulation. What prompted it? "Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress has provided nearly $80 billion in federal funding for broadband services. Ensuring that funding is used for its intended purposes, and sent to areas that need it the most, is a top priority of mine. As former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and current ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, which has jurisdiction over these issues, I’m in a position to help ensure that this funding is being used in a fiscally responsible manner."