State Representative | NC Gov
Congressman Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a markup session in Washington, D.C., focusing on several broadband permitting bills. The aim is to address delays in broadband deployment and support efforts to close the digital divide.
Chairman Hudson stated, “There is no better time than now to enact these bills. We are on the verge of closing the digital divide. After four years of delays caused by the Biden-Harris Administration, deployment will soon begin through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (or BEAD) program. But for this program to succeed, permitting reform is essential. Otherwise, all this money will be tied up in unnecessary reviews and bureaucratic delays. We cannot let the millions of unserved and underserved Americans continue waiting for the connectivity they need simply because we failed to modernize outdated rules.”
During the markup, several bills were forwarded to the Full Committee:
- H.R. 1343, Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act
- H.R. 1588, Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act
- H.R. 1665, DIGITAL Applications Act
- H.R. 1681, Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Act
- H.R. 1731, Standard FEES Act
All were advanced without amendment by voice vote.
H.R. 6046 (the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act) was also forwarded as amended by voice vote.
H.R. 2289 (Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act) was forwarded as amended following a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 12 Nays.
An amendment to H.R. 2289 included provisions from 21 previously noticed bills.
During discussions about these legislative measures:
Congressman Buddy Carter commented on H.R. 2289: “This straightforward reform will remove a key barrier to broadband deployment, especially on federal lands, where reviews can take more than two years. This amendment combines legislation led by every one of my Republican colleagues on this committee, and I would like to thank them for their thoughtful proposals to bring affordable broadband to their communities quickly and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on more red tape.”
Congressman August Pfluger spoke about H.R. 1343: “At the last hearing we had on this issue, we heard several detailed examples from providers across telecommunications spectrum outlining the urgent need for this legislation... Passing the federal broadband deployment tracking act would be a crucial step towards fixing this process and closing the digital divide, creating a more connected future for all Americans.”
Congresswoman Erin Houchin addressed competition issues: “The bottom line is competition lowers prices and certainly attracts capital. The CABLE Competition Act delivers both, allowing consumers to keep the contract, cut the delays and delivering families better service at a better price.”
The subcommittee's actions are part of ongoing efforts in Congress aimed at improving internet access across underserved regions in anticipation of major federal investment through programs like BEAD.
