Lawmakers split over how to expand rural broadband

Lawmakers sparred over ways to bring more investment to rural broadband services. Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said government needs to complement private investment not compete against it.

She criticized a bill sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and others, the Community Broadband Act, that would allow local communities to invest money in building their own networks. Chairman Blackburn said the bill "causes me concern" because she thinks it "would threaten to undo much of the progress that is being made across the country.” Rep Eshoo said state legislatures are “screwing” local communities that want to invest in their own networks. She said many Americans, even those in some parts of Silicon Valley have trouble accessing broadband. “When at least a third is either underserved or not served in the second decade of the 21st century, that’s a major issue for our country,” she said. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) blamed Republicans for the lack of action on infrastructure: “Unfortunately, the administration and my Republican colleagues have placed infrastructure legislation on the backburner behind its tax scam that benefits large corporations and the wealthiest few”