Chairman Walden: President Trump Receptive on Broadband

During a House Commerce Committee markup, multiple Democrats harped on the lack of dedicated broadband money in the White House infrastructure proposal. “Will this committee take the lead?” asked Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT). Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), who was among lawmakers meeting with President Donald Trump on infrastructure, reassured Rep Welch that he has “got this one” adding that he “made that very case” at the White House. "I was encouraged there is some money, at least allegedly put aside in the proposal,” Chairman Walden said. “The president's willing to work with us to build upon that." A White House official said there’s no limit to how much of its proposed rural fund of $50 billion could go to broadband (although the Administration outline allows states to use that money for roads, bridges, broadband and more, meaning there’s no limit to how little could go to broadband, either).