Recovering Excess Communications Appropriations while Protecting Telecommunications Upgrades, Reinvestment, and Expansion Act; RECAPTURE Act
Summary
The RECAPTURE Act amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically targeting the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. It redirects unallocated BEAD funds towards deficit reduction. The bill distinguishes between funds designated for specific purposes in final proposals, which remain available to eligible entities, and undesignated funds, which are deposited into the Treasury's general fund for deficit reduction.
Expected Effects
The act will likely slow down broadband expansion in areas where projects haven't been fully defined. It will also reduce the federal deficit, albeit potentially at the expense of infrastructure development. States and entities with well-defined broadband plans will be less affected.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces the federal budget deficit.
- Ensures funds already designated for specific broadband projects are still available.
- May incentivize more careful planning and allocation of broadband funds.
- Could free up funds for other government programs due to deficit reduction.
- Addresses concerns about potential over-allocation of broadband funds.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May slow down or halt broadband expansion in underserved areas if funds are redirected.
- Could disproportionately affect rural or low-income communities that rely on BEAD funding.
- May create uncertainty for eligible entities planning broadband projects.
- Could lead to political disputes over the allocation of infrastructure funds.
- Potentially undermines the original intent of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act regarding broadband access.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill falls under Congress's power to tax and spend for the general welfare, as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. The allocation of funds for specific purposes and the redirection of unallocated funds are within Congress's purview. However, the potential impact on interstate commerce through reduced broadband expansion could raise questions under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), depending on the scale and scope of the funding reduction.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).