A top congressional investigator is now looking into whether the Biden administration’s decision to revoke a federal contract to provide rural areas with Internet access was an act of political retribution.
U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced his committee is “investigating the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to revoke an award authorizing Space Exploration Technologies Corporation’s (SpaceX) Starlink to receive $885.5 million in broadband deployment subsidies through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).”
“In a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairman Comer is requesting documents and communications related to the FCC’s initial decision to award Starlink broadband deployment subsidies and subsequent decision to deny the award to Starlink,” Comer announced.
“In 2020, the FCC awarded SpaceX’s Starlink $885.5 million through RDOF. Starlink ‘is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver a broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls’ and more. On August 10, 2022, the FCC rejected Starlink’s long-form application to receive funding through RDOF on the basis that the FCC ‘cannot afford to subsidize ventures that are not delivering the promised speeds or are not likely to meet program requirements,’” Comer wrote.
“Starlink satellite systems have recently helped repair and enhance communications infrastructure in rural communities recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has emphasized how the FCC’s decision has impacted Starlink’s ability to assist with the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” Comer adds in the statement.
“Had the FCC not illegally revoked the SpaceX Starlink award, it would probably have saved lives in North Carolina,” Musk wrote in a post on social media platform X. “Lawfare costs lives.”
“In December 2023, the Commission reaffirmed its decision to deny the award to Starlink. More specifically, the FCC again ‘determined that Starlink failed to demonstrate that it could deliver the promised service.’ Notably, however, FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington have spoken against the Commission’s decision […] Commissioner Carr has argued that the FCC is now among a ‘growing list of administrative agencies that are taking action against Elon Musk’s businesses.’ The FCC must ground its decision-making in law and not politics,” Comer writes.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Did NC Vote Red?
See E Palenstine OH RR event