Senator Rosen Questions Commerce Nominee on Unfreezing Nevada's BEAD Funding

BEAD Funding for Nevada

• 💡 Senator Rosen questioned the nominee about the Department of Commerce withholding $417 million for Nevada's BEAD internet connectivity program, approved over three months prior.
• 🎯 Nevada's proposal is described as tech-neutral, cost-effective, and aims to connect 100% of unserved residents, utilizing satellite technology for over 10% of coverage.
• 🔑 The average cost per location in Nevada's BEAD awards is significantly lower than other federally funded broadband programs.
• ❓ Rosen pressed the nominee for a commitment to release the approved and appropriated funding, receiving a non-committal response.

Extreme Heat and Resilience Programs

• 🌡️ Rosen highlighted Nevada's vulnerability to extreme heat, noting two of the fastest warming cities and a record number of heat-related emergency room visits in 2024.
• ⚠️ Over 500 deaths in southern Nevada were attributed to extreme heat in the past year.
• 🔬 The nominee acknowledged NOAA's CAP program and university-centric research for drought and heat resilience, and expressed interest in advancing technology for faster, better information dissemination.

Support for Travel and Tourism

• ✈️ Travel and tourism are identified as a top economic driver for Nevada and the nation, supporting millions of jobs and contributing billions to the US economy.
• 🌎 The US is set to host major international sporting events like Formula 1, the FIFA World Cup, and the Olympics, which attract global visitors.
• 🤝 Rosen advocated for prioritizing support for travel and tourism and working to confirm a qualified individual for the newly created Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism position.