A Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Rural Broadband

Resolved, That the House of Representatives finds that—

1. the Nation’s broadband infrastructure is in critical need of improvement, particularly as it affects Americans located in rural communities who continue to struggle to stay connected in an increasingly connected and digitally dependent world;
2. in order to expand rural broadband assistance and to improve the administration and accountability of the broadband programs in rural communities, the Department of Agriculture should utilize its expertise, experience, and reach to bring these investments to rural America quickly and responsibly;
3. the Federal Communications Commission should study the current and projected demands on rural broadband networks associated with services offered by large providers of content streaming services; and
4. the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy should establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.

This bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by 47 Members of Congress.