[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2647-H2648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              EXPANDING APPALACHIA'S BROADBAND ACCESS ACT

  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2474) to require the Comptroller General of the United 
States to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional 
Commission to include low-orbit satellites in broadband projects, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2474

       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 ``Expanding Appalachia's 
     Broadband Access Act''.

     SEC. 2 GAO STUDY ON SATELLITE BROADBAND.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct, and submit to Congress the 
     results thereof, a study on the capability of the Appalachian 
     Regional Commission to incorporate satellites in broadband 
     projects.
       (b) Requirements.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (a), the Comptroller General shall--
       (1) review the capacity of satellite broadband services to 
     be used for business purposes;
       (2) evaluate economic development growth in areas that have 
     used satellite broadband for businesses; and

[[Page H2648]]

       (3) analyze the cost-effectiveness of implementing 
     broadband via satellites for economic development.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Flood). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Stanton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert 
extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 2474.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I was proud to introduce the Expanding Appalachia's 
Broadband Access Act, which directs the Government Accountability 
Office to conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional 
Commission to include satellites in its broadband projects.
  Currently, the ARC can support targeted broadband projects in 
distressed, rural communities to attract businesses and jobs. However, 
Appalachia is a vast region, and not all of its communities have access 
to fiber optic broadband service, which can be economically isolating 
for local businesses.
  I represent 13 counties in ARC's service area. The topography 
challenges in my district and the rest of Appalachia create unique 
challenges for traditional fiber optic broadband.
  Satellite broadband, on the other hand, with its far-reaching 
capabilities, can enable the delivery of high-speed internet to those 
more remote, difficult-to-access communities that do not currently have 
fiber optic infrastructure. Expanding access to this modern necessity 
will help incentivize the growth of new businesses in the region.
  With the potential to leverage this technology for business growth, 
ARC funding could go further in addressing economic development 
challenges in distressed communities. That is why it is crucial for GAO 
to begin studying the ARC's ability to apply this critical technology 
to its mission of promoting regional economic growth.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2474, the Expanding Appalachia's 
Broadband Access Act, as amended.
  This bill requires the Comptroller General of the United States to 
conduct a study on the capability of the Appalachian Regional 
Commission to include low-orbit satellites in broadband projects.
  This study, conducted by the Government Accountability Office, will, 
number one, assess whether these low-orbit satellites can meet 
businesses' needs; two, evaluate the economic development growth in 
areas already utilizing low-orbit satellites; and three, analyze the 
cost-effectiveness of implementing broadband via satellites.
  By directing GAO to study this important issue, Congress can help 
ensure that small businesses and residents in rural and Appalachian 
communities can benefit from emerging technologies and continue 
developing economically.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2474, the Expanding Appalachia's 
Broadband Access Act, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the 
same. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, by directing a study on the Appalachian Regional 
Commission's ability to implement satellite broadband projects into its 
portfolio, this legislation will help the Appalachian economy continue 
to advance and grow.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 2474, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2474, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to require 
the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the 
capability of the Appalachian Regional Commission to include satellites 
in broadband projects, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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