Michigan's Hill Democrats Urge 'Robust' Broadband Funding in Next COVID-19 Bill
Rep. Brenda Lawrence and eight other Democratic members of Michigan’s congressional delegation urged Capitol Hill leaders Wednesday to include “robust funding” for Lifeline, E-rate USF and Department of Agriculture broadband programs in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill. House Commerce Committee…
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Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., is circulating draft language for the next COVID-19 bill that would appropriate $2 billion for emergency broadband benefit” funding rather than money for Lifeline (see 2004140062). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (HR-748) “fell short of providing the necessary investment in high-speed internet service for low-income and rural Americans,” the Democratic lawmakers wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and their minority counterparts. “Do not forget” broadband funding. House Democrats’ Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act (HR-6379), which they floated during talks on HR-748, included emergency Lifeline and E-rate funding (see 2003230066). Lawrence and the other Democratic lawmakers want the USDA Rural Utilities Service’s Rural Broadband Access Grant, Loan and Loan Guarantee program to be “fully implemented and funded at $350 million annually” via the next epidemic measure. The letter's signers included Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Rep. Debbie Dingell, a House Communications Subcommittee member.