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It’s like it’s his first time learning just how inefficient our government is.
Comedian and late night host Jon Stewart is obviously pretty liberal, and has been a big critic of the Donald Trump administration in its efforts to cut the government through Elon Musk’s DOGE. But after this one, you’ve gotta think he at least understands why it might be necessary.
In case you weren’t aware, the Joe Biden administration included $42 billion in its 2021 infrastructure spending package to expand broadband internet access to 25 million homes that didn’t have access to high speed internet. Sounds great, right?
Well here we are 4 years later and not a SINGLE new home has been added to broadband as a result of that $42 billion. That’s right, zero.
That’s our government for you.
But apparently even Jon Stewart didn’t realize all the insane red tape that was involved with the government program – and his mind was blown when he found out.
During a recent episode of his The Weekly Show podcast, liberal commentator Ezra Klein explained just how ridiculous the hoops are that states have to go through to get the funding from the federal government to expand their broadband network.
As it turns out, there’s a FOURTEEN step process that jurisdictions have to go through, which includes submitting multiple “initial proposals,” opening their proposals up to comments and challenges, get approval from government agencies like the NTIA (the National Telecommunications and Information Administration), and then states must open up a competitive process to receive sub-grants for the funding. And after all of that, we’re only at step 12 of the process.
After all that, states must then submit a final proposal (remember, they’ve already submitted two “initial proposals”), which must then be reviewed and approved by NTIA – all before they get a dollar or help one American get internet access.
Insanity.
As Klein walks through the insane steps of the process, you can see Stewart losing his mind over the ridiculous red tape:
“I’m speechless, honestly. It’s far worse than I could have imagined. But the fact that they amputated their own legs on this is what’s so stunning.”
And Klein points out that this is the process that Democrats in both the Biden administration and Congress implemented for this program:
“This is a bill passed by Democrats with a regulatory structure written by a Democratic administration.”
All told, 56 jurisdictions have applied for funding under the program, but at this point only three of the 56 have made it to step 14, which is waiting for final approval from the NTIA. Thirty jurisdictions have made it through 12 steps and just have to submit their final proposal for review. But in the meantime, that $42 billion is just sitting there and hasn’t helped one American.
Absolutely insane.
Now, I’m sure this isn’t going to do anything to change Stewart’s mind on the bigger picture, but you can see that his mind was blown when he realized just how inefficient and downright ridiculous our government really is.
Making the case for DOGE even stronger, whether he agrees with their actions or not…
The post Jon Stewart Loses His Mind As He Learns About The Insane $42 Billion Biden Administration Plan To Expand Broadband That Connected Zero Homes In 4 Years first appeared on Whiskey Riff.Jon Stewart screams 'OMFG' and is rendered speechless after hearing all 14 steps to apply for 'Build Back Better' funding:
Ezra Klein: "We have to issue the notice funding opportunity within 180 days that's step one.
Step Two: States who want to participate must submit a letter… pic.twitter.com/n2B3knnNY8— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) March 28, 2025