In a recent conversation with Ezra Klein, Jon Stewart was astounded by the labyrinthine bureaucracy tied to the Biden Administration’s rural broadband rollout. Klein, a columnist for the New York Times, elucidated the procedural quagmire that states face to access funding, leaving Stewart visibly frustrated.
Klein pointed out that while the initiative polled well, largely due to the genuine need for rural broadband, the implementation was mired in red tape. This is a classic example of big government inefficiency that patriots have long warned against.
The discussion highlighted a 14-step process, each more convoluted than the last. Stewart’s incredulity grew with each step as Klein detailed the hoops states must jump through:
Ezra Klein: “We have to issue the notice funding opportunity within 180 days that’s step one.
Step Two: States who want to participate must submit a letter of intent. After they do that, they can submit a request for up to $5 million in planning grants. Then the NTIA Step Four has to review and approve an award again. States who want to participate must submit that letter of intent.
Step three: “They can request up to $5 million in planning grants. Just planning, just planning.
Step four: “The requests are reviewed, approved, and awarded by the NTIA.” States must submit a five-year action plan. All 56 had passed through at least step 5, it took more than 3 years.
[Step 6] Then the FCC must publish the broadband data maps before NTIA allocates funds. So having done the no vote. So the letters of intent, the the the request for planning grants, then the review approval and awarding of the planning grants, then the five-year action plans in between that the federal government has to put forward a map saying where it thinks we need rural broadband subsidies. And then, of course, the states need an opportunity to challenge the map for accuracy.
Step seven: So then the NTIA has to use the FCC maps to make allocation decisions. It’s hard even to talk about this, man.
Step eight is states must submit an initial proposal to the NTIA.”
Stewart’s reaction was one of disbelief: “But then what was the five-year plan and what the f**k did they apply for?” he queried, mirroring the confusion of many Americans.
Ezra Klein: “Step nine: NTIA must review and approve each state’s again initial proposal. By my read, we have had at least two initial proposals here, but that’s a different issue.
Step ten: States must publish their own map and allow internal challenges to their own map.
That’s not even all of it, there are still more steps. Watch this:
Jon Stewart screams ‘OMFG’ and is rendered speechless after hearing all 14 steps to apply for ‘Build Back Better’ funding: Ezra Klein: “We have to issue the notice funding opportunity within 180 days that’s step one. Step Two: States who want to participate must submit a letter…
— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante)
March 28, 2025
It’s no surprise this program stalled. By drowning a popular idea in a sea of regulations, the potential benefits were utterly lost. This scenario underscores why streamlined solutions, like DOGE, are essential in today’s politically charged environment.
