Sens Thune, Luján Request GAO to Review Broadband Regulatory Structure

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report uncovered that “federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping, with more than 100 programs administered by 15 agencies.” We request that GAO build upon this work and conduct an additional review of federal, state, and local broadband efforts to determine the effectiveness of each program. Specifically, we request that GAO examine the following issues and questions and provide recommendations on any actions Congress and the relevant agencies should take to improve the broadband regulatory structure:

1. Of the 133 broadband funding programs GAO identified, and any new programs that have been created since, were the programs established in line with Congress’ directive on the funding’s intended purpose? What was the statutory basis for the establishment of each program?Did each agency charged with establishing its broadband funding program follow Congress’ directive on the funding’s intended purpose? 
2. Of the 133 broadband funding programs previously identified by GAO, and any new programs identified, what were the specific policy goals for each program and to what extent did each program meet these goals?
3. How often have federal programs’ funding overlapped other federal programs and on what basis did they do so?
4. How has the fragmented and overlapping approach the federal government taken with respect to broadband deployment affected the success of each program?
5. Did the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and U.S. Department of the Treasury fulfill the agreements set forth in the May 9, 2022, Memorandum of Understanding?
6. How have federal agencies coordinated their broadband programs with state and local broadband funding programs?