Daines, Pfluger Call on Congress to Fully Fund Rip and Replace Program

• November 18, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a letter urging Congress to pass the "Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act" to fully fund the Rip and Replace program.

"It is estimated that there are over 6,000 sites across the United States in need of this funding. Without it, Chinese equipment will continue to pose a significant national security risk to the United States homeland. Additionally, several recipients of previously deployed funding would have to shut down their networks, leaving many rural and remote areas of the country without access to basic broadband services," they wrote.

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

Background:

Daines has been a leader in supporting the "Rip and Replace" program since its inception in 2020. This Congress he introduced the Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act which would fully fund and pay for "Rip and Replace." Without the needed funds to replace Chinese telecommunications, companies like Nemont and ItsTriangle in Montana may lose service leaving those in Eastern and Northern Montana without cell service.