FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Members of Congress Regarding Broadband Funding

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent letters to Reps Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), James Comer (R-KY) and Kay Granger (R-TX) on January 14, 2022, responding to their letter that asked for information on FCC efforts to coordinate with other agencies on broadband funding. Rosenworcel said the FCC collaborated with various federal and state agencies on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, COVID-19 Telehealth Program and Emergency Connectivity Fund. Regarding the accounting of COVID-related funding awards that will be used to fund broadband deployment or buildout, Rosenworcel said each of these programs targets specific areas but none has directly targeted broadband deployment or buildout. The chairwoman also highlighted the interagency agreement between the FCC, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service to facilitate the coordination of agency efforts on broadband.