The Trump administration's nominee to oversee a $42 billion government fund to bring high-speed broadband internet to unserved or underserved parts of the United States denied on Thursday that she would administer the program to benefit Starlink owner Elon Musk.
Democrats have suggested that Musk, a billionaire and close adviser to President Donald Trump, could receive as much as $20 billion of the funding by eliminating the program's preference for fiber and boosting satellite service.
Arielle Roth, who has been nominated to head the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said at a Senate hearing that she will "administer the program to the benefit of the American people, not any single individual or company."
U.S. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, noted that the law gave preference to fiber because it was cheaper. "I strongly urge you to oppose this giveaway to Elon Musk," Markey said.
Democrats have suggested that Musk, a billionaire and close adviser to President Donald Trump, could receive as much as $20 billion of the funding by eliminating the program's preference for fiber and boosting satellite service.
Arielle Roth, who has been nominated to head the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said at a Senate hearing that she will "administer the program to the benefit of the American people, not any single individual or company."
U.S. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, noted that the law gave preference to fiber because it was cheaper. "I strongly urge you to oppose this giveaway to Elon Musk," Markey said.
8 months ago
