Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro delivered a blunt assessment of the Biden-Harris administration’s signature infrastructure legislation, stating that despite billions of dollars allocated for broadband expansion, not a single resident in Pennsylvania has been connected to high-speed internet through the program. His remarks drew attention to mounting frustration over federal delays and highlighted growing concerns about the effectiveness of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Governor Shapiro pointed specifically to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, commonly known as BEAD, which was allocated $42.45 billion nationwide and $1.16 billion for Pennsylvania alone. As of late January 2026, Shapiro confirmed that zero homes in the state have been connected using BEAD funds. The state submitted its required broadband proposal to the federal government in September 2025, yet it remains unapproved, leaving the funds untouched and rural communities waiting.

In a recent interview, Shapiro did not mince words, stating that the bill was passed to connect every Pennsylvanian to affordable, high-speed internet, but that the results so far amount to “zero.” His comment drew applause from conservatives who have long criticized the Biden administration for excessive bureaucracy, while also resonating with rural families who remain offline despite repeated federal promises.

According to Shapiro’s office, the lack of progress is not due to inaction at the state level, but rather to federal approval delays tied to regulatory requirements, including climate-related mandates and union labor preferences. These conditions, embedded in the administration’s implementation process, have slowed broadband deployment not only in Pennsylvania but across the country. Industry analyses indicate that, as of January 2026, no BEAD-funded projects have broken ground nationwide.

While federal funds remain stalled, Shapiro’s administration has turned to alternative funding sources to make progress, connecting more than 40,000 locations across Pennsylvania using other programs. However, the governor emphasized that these efforts do not replace the scale or intent of the BEAD initiative, which was designed to close the digital divide once and for all.

Shapiro’s unusually direct criticism of the Biden-Harris administration underscores growing bipartisan concern over whether the infrastructure law is delivering real-world results. As billions remain unspent and rural Americans continue to wait for reliable internet access, his remarks add pressure on federal agencies to streamline approvals, reduce ideological constraints, and prioritize outcomes over process. The episode stands as a stark example of how sweeping legislation can falter when regulatory obstacles prevent timely execution.