117TH Congress Accomplishments: Broadband

As Chair of the committee tasked with overseeing the historic $65 billion investment in broadband under the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) is working to ensure funding goes to communities that need it most. Through a broad array of broadband initiatives, our Committee Democrats believe we can expand economic opportunity and access to education, healthcare, telehealth, and e-commerce, regardless of where people live. Sen. Luján (D-NM), Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, in December 2022, highlighting Congress’ ongoing efforts to best deliver IIJA funding and resources to make affordable, resilient, and secure broadband access to every American household. These highlights include:

• Connecting Rural America: Sen. Tester (D-MT), Sen. Rosen (D-NV), Sen. Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Sen. Warnock (D-GA), worked across the aisle to champion a $42.5 billion investment - the single largest broadband investment in US history - to connect rural America through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

• Closing the Digital Divide: Sen. Warnock ensured that funding secured through the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act could be used for devices to ensure everyone has access to the education, jobs and opportunities available online, no matter where they live or their socioeconomic background.

• Connecting Tribes: Sen. Rosen, Sen. Hickenlooper, Sen. Tester, and Sen. Warnock secured $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) to help Tribal governments with broadband deployment, telehealth, distance learning, affordability, and digital inclusion. 

• Building Resilient and Redundant Networks: Sen. Rosen secured $1 billion in grants through the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program to link homes and businesses to the internet and reduce the cost of high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities. 

• Creating Affordable Options: Sen. Blumenthal secured $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides low-income households up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 a month for households on Tribal lands.