📋 Tender Overview
U.S. Sens. John Thune R-S.D. ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications Media and Broadband and Roger Wicker R-Miss. ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee today sent a letter calling out U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General IG Peggy Gustafson for failing to fulfill mandated congressional oversight of previously authorized broadband funding. As a result of IG Gustafsons dereliction of duty taxpayer dollars intended for broadband services are subject to waste fraud and abuse.Contrary to the requirements of the law you have failed to fulfill your duties required by Congress the senators wrote. This is deeply concerning for two reasons First the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has a long and well-documented history of misusing federal dollars when attempting to expand broadband access and second your office has had a significant and ongoing problematic history. Further Congress has recently heard testimony of funds being used to overbuild existing broadband networks which makes it even more alarming your office would disregard its oversight responsibilities.Earlier this week Thune launched a nationwide broadband oversight effort that will review numerous broadband programs spanning several federal agencies. The primary goal of Thunes effort is to hold these agencies accountable and ensure that previously authorized broadband funding is being used in the most efficient way possible to protect taxpayer dollars. Thune recently sent a letter to a diverse group of stakeholders including broadband associations public interest groups and free market think tanks to seek their input on the current broadband regulatory structure.
