Rep. Schrier Pushes for Improved Rural Broadband Access During Agriculture Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) participated in an Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday on rural broadband. The hearing examined internet connectivity needs and opportunities in rural America. During the hearing, Rep. Schrier highlighted the importance of broadband access in the 8th district. A clip of Rep. Schrier's remarks can be found here.
"Broadband access is a critical issue in my district and in Washington state. The rural areas in the 8th district do not have the same access to broadband as the urban and exurban parts of our district and state," said Rep. Schrier. "In small Washington state communities, limited rural connectivity for both internet and telephones means that residents and public agencies cannot reliably hold meetings or meaningful public discussions. This creates a two-tiered system where part of our country has access to everything – information and technology – and the rest is left behind. During this pandemic, we have all seen how the digital divide has played out in terms of education, remote work, and telemedicine. This crisis has hit harder in areas without that access."
Rep. Schrier also mentioned the necessity of rural broadband for our farmers. The Congresswoman talked about how existing technology, often known as precision agriculture, can help detect nutrient and water levels in the soil and then allocate resources – water, fertilizers, and the like – according to need. Rep. Schrier went on to discuss efforts to expand broadband access to farmers with Vickie Robinson, General Manager of the Microsoft Global Airband Initiative.
Yesterday's hearing is the latest in Rep. Schrier's work to expand connectivity to rural communities throughout Washington and the country. Shortly, she will be introducing legislation to create a yearlong competitive grant program available to established state broadband offices with the goal of improving broadband connectivity. Funds from this bill can be used for innovative efforts to reach communities, such as: Mapping and data collection to target underserved and unserved areas; Evaluating broadband costs and local community needs; Increasing network resiliency from natural disasters; and most relevant to this hearing, assisting underserved farmers and growers access technology to increase productivity.