Jim Matheson: “My amendment would eliminate funding for the community connect broadband grant program which is administered by the…”

“My amendment would eliminate funding for the community connect broadband grant program which is administered by the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. Now, eliminating this program would save over $13.4 million. This is endorsed by Citizens Against Government Waste. Look. We're all for broadband development, and we're all for rural broadband development. It turns out there are a lot of different Federal programs that try to do this. This is one in particular that does not have a good history. In fact, in 2005 and in 2009, Inspector General reports have raised questions about this specific grant program. And that is why I have raised this issue today. As I said, I think as a supporter of rural broadband development, I want to see programs that work and are effective. This one has some serious questions about it. And that is the substance of my amendment.”