Washington, D.C.— Thursday, U.S. Representatives Greg Pence and Peter Visclosky introduced legislation to close the digital divide in rural America. The Broadband Interagency Coordination Act of 2019, directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to enter into an agreement to coordinate on the distribution of federal funds for broadband deployment. This agreement will make it easier for rural communities to access high-speed internet by ensuring taxpayer dollars are effectively targeting unserved and underserved areas.
“Connecting our rural communities is one of my top priorities,” said Congressman Pence. “As I travel throughout Indiana’s Sixth District, the lack of high-speed internet access is a critical issue impacting Hoosiers in rural communities. I’ve heard stories from students who drive to McDonald’s just to complete their homework, stories from medical providers struggling to utilize telehealth advancements, and stories from our farmers who are disconnected from global markets. We must close the digital divide and ensure rural America is not left behind.”
