Reps Cammack and Costa Urge USDA to Prioritize ReConnect Funding in Rural and Underserved Communities

Reps Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Jim Costa (D-CA) led a letter with their colleagues to urge US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack to ensure the ReConnect Pilot Program serves rural America and the underserved communities that need it most. "We are troubled by the Round 3 ReConnect guidelines that could allow a new broadband provider to obtain funding to build a broadband network to serve the very same area awarded to another provider that has received funding from other programs like the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)," said the letter. "Instead of dedicating valuable funding to completing the task of finally connecting unserved rural communities, the next round of ReConnect could direct a substantial amount of funding to areas that already have robust broadband service...In addition, we are concerned that the application is unduly difficult to complete and prevents many broadband providers from applying for funding." The lawmakers urge the USDA to "take every possible action to prioritize funding for communities with the highest percentages of unserved households and for communities that are not being addressed through another broadband funding program." The letter has also earned the support of NCTA - The Internet & Television Association and NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association.