[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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