On March 8, 2024, Senator Eric Schmitt took a stand against what he describes as a concerning allocation of funds within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Senator Schmitt introduced an amendment aimed at curtailing the NTIA's ability to finance what he refers to as an Orwellian "algorithmic justice" bureaucracy using money intended for broadband development.
Senator Schmitt expressed his concerns, stating, “A bloated bureaucracy is the kiss of death when it comes to fiscally responsible practices, and the NTIA’s outlandish request of $337 million for which they have not justified every dollar is a perfect example. Loosely throwing around hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds without even knowing what it’ll be directly spent on is a direct result of this Administration’s asinine budget priorities. This is the textbook definition of fiscal irresponsibility, and shows the Biden Administration yet again trying to enable unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, potential woke AI and equity initiatives, and government overreach.”
The amendment proposed by Senator Schmitt is in response to a hidden provision in the House omnibus bill, which would allow the NTIA to access $337 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to expand its bureaucracy. This reallocation of funds raises concerns as NTIA has only justified two-thirds of the spending, leaving over $100 million without proper justification.
If the proposed amendment is not adopted, the NTIA could access a significant sum of money that is six times the total salaries and expenses funding for the agency in the omnibus bill. This could potentially lead to the expansion of the agency's initiatives related to woke AI priorities, such as the Algorithmic Justice position recently created.
In conclusion, Senator Schmitt's amendment aims to prevent the NTIA from utilizing funds in a manner that could lead to the establishment of what he views as an Orwellian "algorithmic justice" bureaucracy.
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