WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted in support of a final Farm Bill compromise, which includes measures she introduced to improve access to rural broadband and to address wastewater challenges faced by rural communities. The Senate passed its original version of the Farm Bill in June by a 86-11 vote and passed the final compromise measure today by a 87-13 vote.
“In addition to supporting our farmers and ranchers, the final Farm Bill compromise includes many provisions that will help improve the lives of families and individuals living in rural states like West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “I’m glad to see a measure I introduced to help expand access to broadband included in the final agreement, along with my provision that will help West Virginians and others gain access to safe and reliable wastewater systems. I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation into law and helping to deliver important resources and infrastructure for those who call Rural America home.”
BACKGROUND
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 includes a provision based on Senator Capito’s Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program (B-CROP) Act. The legislation, which she introduced in August 2017, would make grant funding available for rural broadband projects in high-need areas to be awarded in combination with the current loan funding available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service. More information is available here.
Another provision included in the Farm Bill is based on Senator Capito’s Residential Decentralized Wastewater Improvement Act. Introduced in April 2018, this legislation would establish a new program to provide grants to low- and moderate-income households for connecting homes to existing wastewater infrastructure or installing or upgrading individually-owned decentralized wastewater systems. More information is available here.
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