EXCLUSIVE: Ernst, Cruz Introduce Bill To Recover Billions From Biden Boondoggle

Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Ted Cruz of Texas introduced legislation on Friday to recover savings from former President Joe Biden’s rural broadband initiative.

The $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has not started a single project since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed in 2021 by Biden, drawing Ernst’s attention in a November 2024 letter to former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk outlining up to $2 trillion in savings. Ernst, who chairs the Senate DOGE Caucus, introduced the Recovering Excess Communications Appropriations while Protecting Telecommunications Upgrades, Reinvestment, and Expansion (RECAPTURE) Act after the Trump administration saved roughly $21 billion after making adjustments to the BEAD program.

“Despite the astronomical price tag, Biden’s broadband boondoggle failed to connect a single person to the internet before Trump took over and got the job done for less,” Ernst told the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation. “Now that the program is operating more efficiently and at a lower cost, I am proud to introduce my RECAPTURE Act to save the American people billions. Bringing fast and reliable internet to every corner of the country is more important than ever in the digital age, and I am confident that we can do so while racking up big savings.”

“I’m pleased to support Sen. Ernst’ RECAPTURE Act to keep the BEAD program accountable and focused on its core mission of digital connection,” Cruz told the DCNF. “By applying practical rules and unleashing fair competition, the Trump administration is closing the digital divide faster and for half the cost.”