Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3293, the Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act. I thank House leadership for allowing this legislation to come to the floor. I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle for supporting this legislation in committee and supporting it here today. Mr. Speaker, in the 21st century, broadband internet access is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. It connects our communities. It drives economic growth and allows our constituents to fully engage with the digital age. Yet, millions of Americans still lack access to reliable high-speed internet. This digital divide is a barrier to opportunity, holding back businesses, hindering education, and limiting access to essential services. H.R. 3293 takes a crucial step towards bridging this divide and streamlining the process for deploying broadband infrastructure. Currently, the review process for obtaining permits and authorizations can be lengthy and bureaucratic, causing significant delays in deployment. This bill establishes an interagency strike force to coordinate and expedite these reviews, ensuring that Federal agencies prioritize broadband expansion. Streamlining these Federal processes will help get broadband deployed in the rural parts of America just like the Third District of South Carolina. The benefits of H.R. 3293 are clear.…”