Watchdog Praises Rejection of Nationalized 5G Plan by Prominent GOP Senators

For Immediate Release
October 1, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet led a letter with 18 of his Senate GOP colleagues urging President Trump to “remain on the free-market path” on the issue of the ongoing buildout of a nationwide 5G wireless broadband network. The letter was in response to recent rumblings in the Department of Defense and other policy circles around the idea of a quasi-nationalized 5G network. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is in firm agreement with the letter and echoes its calls for President Trump to continue facilitating 5G investment and infrastructure “by freeing up the necessary spectrum and eliminating unnecessary regulations.” TPA Vice President of Policy Patrick Hedger offered the following statement:

“This letter should put to bed the idea that nationalizing our nation’s 5G network is somehow either in our economic or national security interest. The signatories of this letter represent the full spectrum of the Republican coalition, from staunch limited-government conservatives to advocates of a robust approach to national security. Regardless of their priorities, all recognize that the way to win the race to 5G is to do what America does best: unleash private sector investment and innovation. Leave the cronyism and central planning to China.”

#