Pence: Rural broadband language included in interagency agreement

Legislation by Columbus Congressman Greg Pence to speed the installation of broadband internet in rural areas is being incorporated into a federal interagency agreement.

That agreement is between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The agencies announced the interagency agreement, and Pence’s office said on Monday that it was a key part of legislation that he introduced and that was signed into law by President Trump as part of last year’s Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Pence said that the agreement seeks to end the agency’s duplicating efforts and to ensure taxpayer dollars are targeting unserved and underserved areas.

Pence said that the pandemic showed how essential reliable broadband is. He said he was pleased that facets of his legislation are becoming reality and this agreement will help ensure that rural America is no longer left behind.