A Letter From Senator Klobuchar: Investing in Broadband

I’ve always believed that when we invest in our infrastructure, including improved access to broadband, we invest in opportunity for every American. If we do this right, we can bridge the rural and urban divide that’s damaging our country and hurting our economy. 
As we work to bring high-speed internet to communities across the country, it’s critical that we have a clear and accurate understanding of where broadband is available and where it is not. While the Federal Communication Commission collects this information and provides maps that display broadband availability, these maps significantly overstate coverage in many rural areas. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation – the Broadband DATA Act — with Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Thune (R-SD), and Gary Peters (D-MI), to collect more precise data so that broadband deployment funds will go where they are needed most. This bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee in July, and I am working to quickly get it signed into law.

Kids who grow up in rural America shouldn’t be forced to move away from rural America in order to get a good job and raise their own family. Ensuring that the communities and businesses of rural Minnesota have access to high-speed broadband internet is a vital part of ensuring that this isn’t just a dream, but a reality. And I will continue fighting in Washington to make sure that happens.