Jacobs pleased to see broadband legislation advance out of committee

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) voted to advance the bipartisan Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (HR 4374) out of the House Agriculture Committee.

“Today the House Agriculture Committee proved that legislators can come together in a bipartisan way to advance legislation,” Jacobs said. “The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act directs $43 billion in investments in rural communities to expand high-speed internet access, partly through the successful USDA ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.”

The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (H.R. 4374) was modeled off legislation Jacobs and his Republican colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee introduced earlier this year, the Broadband for Rural America Act (H.R. 3369). H.R. 4374 harmonizes the USDA’s broadband programs and authorizes $43 billion in broadband investment over the next eight years.

Currently, a bipartisan group of Senators is developing infrastructure legislation with $65 billion allocated for broadband. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act serves as a pathway to direct a majority of that spending through existing USDA programs with a proven track record of delivering for rural communities.

“Broadband expansion is essential to advancing our rural communities and providing critical services to families, schools, small businesses, and seniors. I remain committed to working proactively to address the digital divide in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “As the House and Senate continue negotiating infrastructure legislation – I urge them to follow the example set today by the Agriculture Committee and advance bipartisan proposals that address the direct needs of the American people.”