“Extending high-speed internet service to unserved communities is critical to boosting local economies and giving consumers access to jobs, health care, education and loved ones. We applaud Congress in passing the Farm Bill, including provisions that will make meaningful reforms to the administration of USDA RUS broadband loan programs, better directing federal funds to areas most in need of assistance and guarding against government-subsidized overbuilding. The Farm Bill also includes important transparency and notice provisions to ensure RUS has accurate and complete market data to make smart funding decisions, and a requirement for the RUS to coordinate with the FCC and NTIA so that the different government broadband programs will work more cooperatively and efficiently. As was done with the Omnibus’ USDA Pilot Broadband Program passed earlier this year, requiring government programs to better target broadband funds to areas most in need of assistance can make federal dollars more effective and better advance the goal of universal broadband access.”
