Congressional Democrats Propose $40 Billion Broadband Deployment Plan

private participation, including involvement from ISPs and local governments, Democrats said in a white paper. “The electricity of 2017 is high-speed Internet,” the Democrats said in a parallel to the Great Depression-era push to expand electric power deployment. “This is a really good deal,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., during a news conference: Urban areas “take this for granted.” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said, "Whether you are in the Berkshires or Bozeman, the infrastructure that connects Americans to each other is helping spur economic growth and democratic action.” Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also joined in unveiling the plan. The lawmakers said they would pursue inclusion of their plan in a broadband title in a forthcoming infrastructure legislative package and could also pursue including it in future appropriations bills. The proposal drew laudatory statements from some. "Closing the digital divide won’t be easy or inexpensive, but an economic jump-start for areas without access to broadband internet service will be worth the investment and remains a national priority," said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. CTIA is “encouraged by today’s announcement by Democrats highlighting the importance of expanding rural broadband access,” said Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Kelly Cole. “The wireless industry stands ready to work with all policy makers to enact policies that will support investment and deployment of infrastructure that will increase connectivity for all Americans.”