Rodgers, Other Republicans Skeptical of FCC Draft Broadband Maps' Accuracy
House Commerce Committee ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, delivered a muted response Saturday to the FCC’s release of draft updated broadband availability maps (see 2211180062). “While overdue, the draft” maps “are…
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critical,” the lawmakers said. “An unprecedented amount of federal funding has been allocated for broadband deployment” via the infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other legislation “and having accurate maps for all states and federal agencies to use when making their funding decisions is essential to closing the digital divide. Now it is up to states, broadband providers, and other stakeholders to work diligently to review and build on these maps to improve their accuracy and make sure resources are not being wasted.” Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Public Works Committee ranking member Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., voiced skepticism Friday about the maps’ accuracy. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., had a more positive response, saying in a statement the maps “will provide us with accurate information to help close the digital divide and bring high-speed broadband to every community in our country, regardless of their zip code.”