Trump Highlights Rural Broadband Implications of Infrastructure Proposal, Meeting Lawmakers

in rural areas that “have not been treated fairly.” Investing in rural infrastructure “is so important,” he said. State governors would control the rural funding program the administration envisions “because they know best the needs of their people,” Trump said. “So we want the states to be very much involved in the choice of where this money goes.” House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., who attended, said he appreciated discussing “what should be a shared priority for us all: rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.” Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and House Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., were among the other lawmakers there. House Commerce is “ready to work with anyone and everyone to help deploy broadband internet to every corner of our country,” Walden said. “I hope this meeting was the first of many instances where Republicans and Democrats come together and work in good faith on this and many other important issues.” Congressional Democrats continued to oppose elements of the proposal, including the lack of dedicated broadband funding. “Any serious national infrastructure package needs real federal investment in rural broadband,” said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., in a Senate floor speech Tuesday. “Strategic federal investments are needed to fill in the gaps for states and local communities struggling to keep up with the internet demands of today, let alone getting ahead of the connectivity demands of tomorrow. This administration's infrastructure proposal would only create more gaps.”