$10 Billion for Broadband

A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, including Sens Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), is allocating $10 billion for broadband connectivity as part of its $908 billion emergency relief plan. Sen Manchin explicitly mentioned broadband as a priority during a news conference introducing the measure. Prospects for the proposal are still unknown, and likely shaky given the handful of days left in the 116th Congress. But these lawmakers have spoken with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and leadership in their parties about the proposal, and they’re expressing urgency about moving at least some pared-down rescue package before lawmakers leave this month.