42.5 Billion Reasons to Pass Permitting Reform Now

In the wake of the bipartisan resolution on the debt ceiling, Congress now has the opportunity to take another timely and unifying step forward for our nation—one that will help ensure a connected economy in which everyone can fully participate in its many opportunities. Nearly $42.5 billion in federal broadband infrastructure investment is poised to begin flowing to the states. With broadband providers and communities ready, willing, and eager to proceed, the single most intractable barricade remains—the ability of the gears of government to grind all progress to a halt. Nowhere is this more glaringly apparent—or egregious—than in the painfully slow process of obtaining the permits broadband providers require to make internet for all a reality. Permitting reform has a deep bipartisan bench of support on Capitol Hill. Binding this political alliance together are the rural communities these diverse legislators serve. This is a pressing problem that Congress can, should, and must fix now.