WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Angus King (I-Maine), today hosted a Senate Broadband Caucus event to highlight their broadband priorities for 2021 and beyond. In addition to remarks by the senators, the event featured keynote remarks by Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, as well as a panel discussion with The Rural Broadband Association’s Shirley Bloomfield, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies’ Dr. Dominique Harrison, and Schools Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition’s John Windhausen.
“There’s no question the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to close the digital divide—whether you’re working from home, finishing school assignments, or in need of a telehealth appointment,” Senator Capito said. “But, even before coronavirus, we’ve had these challenges. While we’ve made progress, we are still experiencing many frustrations with the lack of connectivity. By continuing to prioritize improving broadband accessibility through the efforts of this caucus and more, we can make strides to bridge the digital divide in rural America.”
“The urgency for nationwide broadband deployment is unmistakable. High-speed internet has become a necessity that connects us with employment, education and health care services. We must ensure that rural and underserved communities are accurately represented in the data used to allocate funds for broadband expansion so that opportunities to invest in internet infrastructure reach those who need it most. As a member of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’m pleased to join my fellow co-chairs to advocate for policies that increase access to this vital technology,” Senator Boozman said.
“When we invest in broadband infrastructure, we invest in opportunity for all Americans,” Senator Klobuchar said. “In 2021, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in America — regardless of their zip code.”
“Over the last year, the coronavirus pandemic forced Americans to reimagine the way our society operates. Schools have turned to distance learning; offices have shifted to remote work; medical providers have embraced telemedicine to provide key care. These adjustments have undoubtedly saved lives, but they also exposed a longstanding inequality: the digital divide that leaves millions without access to high-speed broadband and the immense opportunities it provides. We cannot allow an additional casualty of the coronavirus to be a deepening of that divide – for more of us to have the chance to prosper, we need more of us connected,” Senator King said.
“This pandemic has demonstrated that broadband is no longer just nice to have. It’s need to have. So thank you to the Senate Broadband Caucus for its work to advance the discussion about how to connect everyone, everywhere,” Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
The event is the latest in a series of Senate Broadband Caucus events highlighting the benefits of improving connectivity in West Virginia and states across the country.
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