[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H7199-H7200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IMPROVING BROADBAND ACCESS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2016

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 6394) to require the Federal Communications Commission to submit 
to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for 
veterans.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6394

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Broadband Access 
     for Veterans Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. REPORT ON PROMOTING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE 
                   FOR VETERANS.

       (a) Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
       (b) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications 
     Commission shall submit to Congress a report on promoting 
     broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular 
     low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas. In 
     such report, the Commission shall--
       (1) examine such access and how to promote such access; and
       (2) provide findings and recommendations for Congress with 
     respect to such access and how to promote such access.
       (c) Public Notice and Opportunity To Comment.--In preparing 
     the report required by subsection (b), the Commission shall 
     provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment 
     on broadband Internet access service for veterans, in 
     particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural 
     areas, and how to promote such access.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Latta) and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

[[Page H7200]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6394, the Improving 
Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016.
  Our veterans face unique and difficult challenges upon their return 
home from service, but access to broadband Internet service should not 
be one. Broadband access can help equip our veterans with the tools 
necessary to be successful in today's 21st century economy, and that is 
why I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense, 
nonpartisan bill.
  H.R. 6394 simply requires the Federal Communications Commission to 
submit a report to Congress on ways to better improve access to 
broadband for our Nation's veterans; in particular, low-income veterans 
and veterans living in rural areas.
  We as legislators will be able to make better informed policy 
decisions based upon the recommendations made in the report and, 
thereby, help ensure our veterans have access to such a fundamental 
tool in today's economy. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 
6394.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6394, the Improving Broadband 
Access for Veterans Act of 2016.
  I thank my colleagues, Mr. McNerney, who will be speaking very 
shortly, and Mr. Kinzinger, both colleagues on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee with myself and Mr. Latta. Both of them have had a focus on 
how the Internet with be helpful to veterans. Obviously, Internet is 
really helpful to all of us, but veterans have some special challenges, 
and we have a special obligation to veterans.
  This legislation is absolutely focused on the obligation that we have 
to try to help our veterans have access to the Internet. That is 
especially important in rural areas, something very close to the heart 
of Mr. Latta and me.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. McNerney), the cosponsor of this bill with Mr. 
Kinzinger, and a wonderful colleague on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Vermont 
for his work on this, and my colleague from Ohio, and also Mr. 
Kinzinger from Illinois for his work.
  My bill, H.R. 6394, sets us on a path of working to close the digital 
divide for veterans. Access to broadband Internet service provides an 
important resource for the more than 20 million veterans across our 
Nation, with the highest population residing in my State of California.
  Having a broadband Internet connection helps veterans apply for jobs 
more easily, obtain necessary vocational training, and communicate with 
friends and family. It lets them keep up with current events. It gives 
them access to healthcare services. And they can get important 
information about their benefits and military records. Without 
broadband Internet access, it is difficult to fully participate in 
today's society.
  Veterans face many challenges when they return home. Not having 
Internet access makes what is already an incredibly tough transition 
process even harder. This is particularly likely to be the case for 
low-income veterans and veterans living in rural areas.
  Although we lack data on the number of veterans with broadband 
Internet access, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center 
both report that broadband adoption rates are significantly lower among 
Americans who live at or below the Federal poverty level.
  An analysis by the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce further finds that 
broadband adoption rates in rural areas of the country are lower than 
they are in urban areas.
  We must find ways to ensure that veterans, especially the more than 
1.4 million living below the Federal poverty level and the 5.3 million 
residing in rural areas, are not left behind. This is why my bill 
directs the Federal Communications Commission to examine the current 
state of broadband access for veterans and what can be done to increase 
access, with a focus on low-income veterans and veterans residing in 
rural areas. The findings and recommendations from the report will be 
important for paving the way to get more veterans connected.
  Again, I want to thank my cosponsor, Mr. Kinzinger, for his support, 
and I urge my colleagues to vote for the bill.
  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, there are more than 20 million veterans across the 
Nation, and every single one of them deserves access to broadband 
Internet. This bill can help give Congress the information it needs to 
help improve the lives of our veterans, and I urge all of my colleagues 
for their support of the gentleman's legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
6394, the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016.
  The First District of Georgia is blessed to be home to four of our 
military's fantastic installations and more importantly, to the great 
men and women who choose to serve our country.
  Our military's greatest strength is found in those individuals who 
have chosen to defend our freedoms and our values.
  Those veterans bring a wealth of information and experience to the 
civilian sector that benefits innovation and those who are exposed to 
it.
  This bill requires the FCC to submit to Congress a report on the 
promotion of broadband access for veterans with a focus on low-income 
veterans and those living in rural areas.
  By ensuring those veterans have access to high-speed broadband, that 
determination and hard-working spirit found in so many veterans that 
I've met can be fostered and grown.
  I want to thank Congressman McNerney, Congressman Kinzinger and the 
rest of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their hard work on such 
an important issue for the growth of our veteran community.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 6394.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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