Voters should care because the BEAD program represents one of the largest single investments in internet infrastructure in U.S. history. Without this bill, the government could award billions of dollars to companies with very little public oversight or explanation for their choices. If the process is kept behind closed doors, there is a higher risk of waste, fraud, or favoritism.

If this bill becomes law, it provides a tool for citizens to hold the government accountable for 'digital redlining' or inefficient spending. If it doesn't pass, the agency managing these billions will continue to operate with a special exemption that makes it much harder for the public to find out how and why major spending decisions were made.