Last year, a few months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, US Representative Jim Clyburn, DS.C. tried to pass a bill that would provide rural communities across the country with affordable high-speed internet to help with schooling. remote and work.
But with the Republican majority in the Senate, the House’s majority bill was thwarted.
Now, with a Democratic majority in both chambers, Clyburn reintroduced the bill as Accessible and Accessible for All on March 11. It authorizes more than $ 94 billion to ensure that underserved and underserved communities have access to affordable high-speed internet.
Clyburn told the Post and the Courier that the measure will be particularly useful for rural people in South Carolina, including telehealth.
“Broadband is the only thing that can change the character of almost any community,” said Clyburn. “We want to make broadband affordable and accessible to all homes in America. And this business will do that.”
With Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, presenting supplementary legislation in the Senate, the bill is likely to be taken to the finish line this month.
“When we invest in broadband infrastructure, we invest in opportunities for all Americans,” said Klobuchar in a statement to the media. “In 2021, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to all families in America – regardless of their postal code.”
Clyburn has long been pushing to address broadband deficits and formed a task force in Congress to focus specifically on the issue last year. In 2020, he also got all members of South Carolina’s parliamentary delegation to sign a letter saying the issue should be prioritized.
But the project saw no movement, even when the pandemic highlighted the need for Internet access.
Clyburn said his Republican colleagues in South Carolina support the project, but he is not sure what they will do when the project is approved.
“They are all for it,” said Clyburn. “But that does not mean that everyone will vote in favor.”
Clyburn’s account asks:
- $ 80 billion to deploy secure and resilient broadband infrastructure to communities across the country.
- $ 5 billion over five years to finance broadband deployment at low interest rates.
- $ 6 billion for the recently established Emergency Broadband Benefit, which offers a $ 50 monthly discount on internet plans for low-income Americans anywhere in the country, or $ 75 for consumers in tribal lands.
- $ 1 billion to establish two new grant programs that will help Americans develop digital skills.
- $ 2 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which provides home internet for students or mobile hotspots.
The Accessible and Accessible Internet Law for All is the latest of several legislative initiatives that the longtime congressman has made in recent weeks, by capitalizing on the Democratic majority in Washington and using his relationship with President Joe Biden to bring his projects to the forefront. arrival.
“Now, we have some semblance of authority and power in the House and we have the votes in the Senate to make it law,” said Clyburn. “And we have a person at the White House to sign it. So, you can hear a little dizziness in my voice.”
Catch up Thomas Novelly at 843-937-5713. Follow him @TomNovelly on Twitter.