House Rural Broadband Caucus to president: Include dedicated broadband funding in infrastructure proposal

As President Donald Trump prepares to unveil his infrastructure proposal, the six bipartisan co-chairs of the House Rural Broadband Caucus, Reps. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., David Loebsack, D-Iowa, and Robert Latta, R-Ohio, on Jan. 23 sent a letter to the president, urging him to include dedicated rural broadband connectivity investments in his proposal to congress.

"We are concerned about recent reports that your forthcoming proposal may not include investments in rural broadband connectivity," wrote the members. "We write today to reiterate our support for the proposal to include funding specifically for rural broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas."

"Rural communities must have adequate broadband infrastructure to attract and retain businesses and human resources, close the homework gap for students and teachers, open innovative and convenient pathways to telemedicine for seniors and providers, and help farmers increase efficiencies in their barns and on their land," continued the members. "The future wellbeing of our communities is dependent upon this technology."

Last year, the co-chairs of the House Rural Broadband Caucus led 71 members of congress in sending a letter to the president urging him to include rural broadband connectivity investments in any infrastructure proposal.

The full letter is available here.