Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee touts federal broadband funding that he opposed

On Tuesday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced a $163 million investment to expand broadband high-speed internet access, using federal money from the American Rescue Plan that he opposed in 2021.

In a press release, Lee touted the nearly $715 million his administration has invested in broadband under his watch.

“Broadband is essential to all Tennesseans, and that’s why we are making strategic investments in our state’s broadband infrastructure and digital opportunity programs to create a pathway to education, job training and greater opportunity statewide,” Lee said.

The press release did not mention that $500 million of this broadband funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to a Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations report from January.

INBOX — “FACT-CHECK: @GovBillLee Opposed Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Now Takes Credit for Broadband Funding” @TNSenateDems call out Lee for AGAIN taking credit for federal he and all GOP reps opposed. pic.twitter.com/dnTiSH2iys

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) May 1, 2024

When Tennessee received billions in federal funding from Democratic-written bills in 2021, Lee said at the time his state “didn’t need it.”

Lee has served as Tennessee’s governor since 2019. He recently signed a bill into law allowing teachers to carry firearms in schools with minimal training.