[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, this morning, 40 million 
Americans will begin their day without access to broadband internet. 
These high-speed broadband connections, which were once a luxury, have 
now become essential tools for students, businessowners, farmers, and 
patients.
  Last year, historic BEAD funding was disbursed to the States. Today, 
it is critical that these funds are used efficiently, not to gold-plate 
the infrastructure in our cities, but to finally connect our rural 
communities to fast, reliable, high-speed internet.
  Recently, I was proud to introduce the 5G SALE Act to require the FCC 
to release previously auctioned spectrum in order to expand access to 
5G internet for communities across central and western Pennsylvania.
  Bridging the digital divide has never been more important as we fight 
to ensure that our students can learn from home, that small businesses 
can operate from home, and that patients can heal from home.


              Enacting Republicans' Commitment to America

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in the past 10 months since 
retaking the majority, House Republicans have fought to enact our 
Commitment to America, working each day to forge an economy that is 
strong, to build a nation that is safe, to create a future that is 
built on freedom, and to once again have a government that is 
accountable to the American people.
  We fought to reopen the people's House. We passed H.R. 1, the Lower 
Energy Costs Act, 225-204, because Americans are paying too high a 
price for gas. We passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, 219-213, 
because President Biden's border crisis has made each and every State a 
border State. We passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, 213-
208, because parents deserve to be involved in their children's 
education.
  These legislative victories have only been possible because House 
Republicans have remained united and willing to stand up to President 
Biden's radical agenda. It must be a top priority to fight President 
Biden's out-of-control spending, his Green New Deal initiatives, and 
his threats to strip away our constitutional rights.
  Madam Speaker, it is time for House Republicans to renew our 
commitment to the American people and to our shared conservative 
values. The work that is still ahead is too great to waste any 
additional time.

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