Fischer, Cortez Masto File Bill to Increase Oversight of FCC Broadband Funding Map
Senate Communications Subcommittee Chair Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., on Thursday filed the Modernization, Accountability and Planning for Broadband Funding Act in a bid to increase oversight of the FCC's broadband funding map. The bill would direct the FCC to conduct a notice of inquiry on the map’s function and the data it displays for maximum usability. The notice would assess whether there need to be updates to the map based on user feedback. The measure would also direct the Government Accountability Office to evaluate whether federal agencies are providing data for the map in compliance with current law and would identify any reporting gaps.
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“While I’m pleased the FCC launched the Map in 2023, it is clear oversight is needed here to ensure all federal agencies are utilizing the Map to its full potential,” Fischer said in a news release, which also cited support from USTelecom and CostQuest Associates.
“Reliable access to the internet is already so important for people to work and take care of their everyday tasks,” Cortez Masto added. “Congress must ensure we continue to expand its access efficiently.”