Can we please keep our broadband money, Republican governor asks Trump admin

Summary

Landry's letter reminded Lutnick that "Congress granted NTIA clear authority" to distribute the remaining broadband funds to states. The law says that after approving a state's plan, the NTIA "shall make available to the eligible entity the remainder of the grant funds allocated," and "explicitly grants you wide discretion in directing how these remaining funds can be used for 'any use determined necessary... to facilitate the goals of the Program,'" Landry wrote. Landry asked Lutnick to issue clear guidance on the use of remaining grant funds by October 1, and suggested that grant awards be "announced by you and President Trump no later than January 20, 2026." Republican governors could sway Trump admin Levin wrote that Louisiana's proposal is likely to be supported by other states, even if many of them would prefer the money to be spent on broadband-specific projects. "We expect most, if not all, of the governors to support Landry's position; they might not agree with the limits he proposes but they would all prefer to spend the money in their state rather than return the funds to the Treasury," Levin wrote. "We also think the law is on the side of the states in the sense that the law clearly contemplates and authorizes states to spend funds on projects other than connecting unserved and underserved locations." Levin believes Lutnick wants to return unspent funds to the Treasury, but that other Republican governors asking for the money could shift his thinking. "If enough Republican governors and members of Congress weigh in supporting the Landry plan, we think the odds favor Lutnick agreeing to its terms," he wrote. Levin wrote that "Commerce agreeing to Landry's request would avoid a potentially difficult political and legal fight." But he also pointed out that there would be lawsuits from Democratic state officials if the Trump administration directs a lopsided share of remaining funds to Republican states. "Democratic Governors might feel queasy about the Land...