Biden’s billions on broadband could be shielded from public scrutiny

President Joe Biden’s Senate-approved bipartisan infrastructure package will exempt a $42 billion broadband internet program from having to follow federal transparency and accountability laws, restricting public oversight over a major portion of the bill.

The Senate package, which passed in August, the Infrastructure Investment and JOBS Act, contains nearly $65 billion in spending on broadband, including $42.5 billion allocated for a grant program to expand internet access in underserved communities.