Today along with Senator Marshall, I introduced the Reconnecting Rural America Act.

Thank you. Ms. Shute, can you explain the Community Union District concept in Vermont, and whether you think entities like that should be eligible for ReConnect grants?

The reality is that rurality is not a straight line.

Thank you. The streamlined permitting seems to be a common concern that every one of you has.

When our communities lack access to quality internet, they are locked out of the global economy.

When our communities lack access to quality internet, they are locked out of the global economy and cutoff from critical services.

One-third of rural Americans are unable to access broadband of 100 Mbps, and you have got to have speed.

There is nothing that strikes fear in the hearts of bankers more than that on-site examination.

I support the ReConnecting Rural America Act, with the modifications that I noted in my testimony.

Our overall job is to revitalize rural America, and the health of rural America.

I applaud the Appropriations Act providing $365 million for Round 5 of ReConnect, but it undermines two key characteristics of the ReConnect program.

The benefit of the USDA having greater flexibility coordinating with other Federal agencies, I think the benefit there is USDA's rich history in its commitment to rural America.

The reality is that rurality is not a straight line.

Now is the time to focus on fiber and get fiber everywhere, as soon as possible, as it will be the most efficient use of the Federal funding dollars that are available.

We need a rural broadband that will do three things.

I believe that unless we have an agency that is going to address these questions from social media and AI, we really don't have much of a defense against the bad stuff.

the Postal Service is an absolutely essential service not just to Vermont, but to rural America, and protecting the Postal Service is one of my top priorities in Congress.

I believe that unless we have an agency that is going to address these questions from social media and AI, we really don't have much of a defense against the bad stuff.