Biden administration waiving some ‘Buy America’ requirements in broadband buildout

The waiver allows some of the funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (President Biden’s push to expand high-speed internet access across the country) to be spent on equipment manufactured overseas.

The decision came after discovering that some materials were not produced in the state in “adequate and reasonably available quantities” to meet the program’s needs, according to the waiver.

“this [Build America, Buy America] Will Arbuckle, senior policy advisor for Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said in a news release.

The Build America, Buy America Act, enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021, requires eligible infrastructure projects to use iron, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials produced in the United States

Even with the waiver, nearly 90% of the broadband program’s funding is still expected to be spent on equipment manufactured in the United States, Arbuckle noted.

“We strongly believe these are American tax dollars and should be spent on equipment made by American workers in American communities,” Arbuckle added.