White House officials play key role in shaping broadband stimulus program | Benton Foundation

May 4, 2009

The White House is playing a critical behind-the-scenes role in shaping a $7.2 billion loan-and-grant program aimed at spurring wider broadband Internet access, despite a congressional mandate that put the Agriculture and Commerce departments in charge of the economic stimulus effort. With high-stakes decisions to be made affecting consumers and corporations, and vacancies at both departments and the FCC, which has an advisory role, the White House has stepped in to oversee the initiative, according to several sources...