GOP debt plan would hurt internet access efforts, Democrats say

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Democratic officials are expressing concern that the House Republican debt limit plan would undermine bipartisan efforts to boost internet access nationwide and secure U.S. networks. While the issue has flown under the radar in the high-stakes showdown over the bill, which House Republicans approved April 26 but President Biden threatened to veto, Democrats say it could still hamper key connectivity initiatives. At odds is a section in the Republican bill that would roll back unspent money lawmakers dolled out in a series of COVID-19 aid packages, including the bipartisan $900 billion spending bill signed in 2020 and the Democratic-led $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package from 2021. “This bill revokes funding for students’ internet connectivity, accurate broadband mapping, and ensuring our communications equipment is protected from espionage and disruption by hostile foreign governments like China,”  said a Democratic aide for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They added that the proposal would “claw back money that was greenlit by Republicans themselves and passed on a bipartisan basis.” The panel has primary jurisdiction over internet access and network security issues. A Republican aide for the committee said the bill “would lift the debt ceiling and rein in out-of-control spending.”


GOP debt plan would hurt internet access efforts, Democrats say