House of Representatives

Rep dam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced H.R. 3346, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Communication Commission from regulating the rates charged for broadband internet access service. Broadband access has become increasingly important in the 21st Century and has become even more essential as the coronavirus pandemic has forced many people to move online to work, attend school, conduct business, and even socialize.

Rep G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) introduced the Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act (HR 3376) to increase access to and speed the deployment of broadband to households and small businesses currently without this vital service. The bill will enable more broadband service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF) programs by eliminating an outdated requirement that only internet service providers designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive USF dollars.

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) introduced the Gigabit Opportunity (GO) Act (HR 3377). The bill acknowledges the importance of high-speed internet to the 21^st century economy and accordingly encourages private investment in broadband service through targeted tax incentives in areas that still lack access. The GO Act would empower states to designate low-income areas that lack fixed wireless broadband service at speeds of at least 25 / 3 mbps.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO-06) and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) introduced the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, a bill to remove barriers for communities seeking to use Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to develop high-speed broadband access.

Rep Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) reintroduced legislation to help end the digital divide and deliver affordable, quality broadband service to rural Americans.

Reps Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) and David McKinley (R-WV-1) introduced bipartisan legislation to help end the digital divide and deliver affordable, quality broadband service to rural Americans.

Reps. Antonio Delgado (NY-19), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) reintroduced the Rebuild Rural America Act in the House. This legislation would deliver federal resources directly to rural communities as they respond to, and recover from, the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.