White House requests $3 Billion to fill rip and replace funding gap

Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan said he’s encouraged by the White House’s request to Congress to fill the $3 billion gap in the Federal Communications Commission’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, aka “Rip and Replace.” But it’s critical that the funding gets allocated ASAP, he added. Of course, when legislation actually clears both the House and Senate is anyone’s guess. The Senate Appropriations Committee has a hearing scheduled on Oct 31 to review the administration’s national security supplemental request. Donovan said he’s hopeful something will pass in 2023. “We’re going to continue our outreach with the administration and Congress to continue to press the case on just how urgent and important it is that this funding be made available,” Donovan said. “It’s a national security issue, and we’re on the clock.”