House Ag Committee on Digital Divide

Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson, a Republican from Pennsylvania and Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture is concerned that there are Americans that are slipping behind as the digital divide hampers their ability to build businesses, gain education, and engage in daily activities online.

"Despite decades of effort and billions of dollars spent too many communities are still on the wrong side of the divide. With its unique reach expertise and experience serving rural America, USDA Rural Utility Service or US, is well-positioned to serve a leading role in our nation's rural broadband strategy."

He says last Congress, the committee introduced marked up and passed bipartisan legislation, which set the stage for a historic commitment and investment in rural broadband and to finally close the digital divide.

"Specifically, the bill codified the reconnect program and merged it with USDA is existing retail rural broadband program provided last-minute technical and financial assistance to rural communities seeking to improve their broadband service, ensured accurate mapping of broadband connectivity in rural areas."

Among other programs in the bill. It did not receive floor consideration. Thompson says, however, it is serving as the foundation of the 2023 Farm Bill broadband subtitle Thompson recently led a full committee on ag hearing regarding the digital divide subtitle in the upcoming Farm Bill.