Political Quotes

“I wish to to speak to my amendment that expands the eligible participants of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. This program will be very valuable toward increasing broadband availability and access nationwide. The current language unduly limits private sector participation to that of only public-private partnership. And while I have been a long supporter of these efforts as an additional way to roll out broadband service and have cosponsored legislation in the past to that effect, I believe it is necessary to expand their eligibility in the program in order to more effectively and immediately increase the availability and access to broadband service, mainly in this economy. While many States have established very useful initiatives that have advanced broadband deployment in rural communities where the digital divide existed, other States unfortunately haven't. So by requiring a public-private partnership, it could hinder achieving the fundamental goal established by the program if there is lack of interest or resources from the public entities. In addition, this provision imposes a 20-percent match requirement for these grants, which may be satisfied by the grant applicant or any third-party partnering with the grant applicant, and only may be waived under special circumstances.”