[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3739-H3740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BROADBAND FOR RURAL AMERICA

  (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, Congress has appropriated well over $300 
billion to State and local governments over the past 14 months to help 
provide broadband access, but we must ensure these funds are being 
utilized to meet the needs of rural America.
  This is only possible if Federal broadband maps are accurate. Last 
Congress I supported the Broadband DATA Act, which was signed into law 
and directed the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, to allow 
independent third-party data to challenge these maps.
  Many States, including Georgia, have already done their own work to 
identify areas with immediate broadband needs.
  I recently sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the FCC urging them 
to utilize data from the Georgia Broadband Map program in their new 
mapping program and insisting that regular updates be provided to 
Congress.
  House Agriculture Republicans have also marked up the Broadband for 
Rural America Act, which will provide targeted assistance to the least-
connected residents.
  I look forward to working on bipartisan solutions to ensure every 
household has broadband access while being good stewards of taxpayer 
dollars.

[[Page H3740]]

  

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