WASHINGTON—Following Senate passage of a historic bipartisan infrastructure bill last week, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) published an op-ed in Forum Communications’ newspapers highlighting the legislation’s $65 billion in funding for broadband infrastructure—the largest investment our country has ever made in broadband. Many provisions in the legislation were based on Klobuchar’s bill with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to help bring high-speed internet to every family in America.

In the piece, Klobuchar outlines how expanding access to broadband will help everyone from workers and students to farmers and small business owners. 

From the op-ed:

  • “One study found that approximately 42 million Americans — including 35% of rural Americans — live in areas without access to broadband. In rural parts of Minnesota, 16% of households lack broadband at baseline speeds. That means more than 144,000 households in rural Minnesota go without high-speed internet every single day.”
  • “In 2021, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in America — regardless of their zip code. This is one reason the new bipartisan infrastructure package is such a win for our state and country. The historic legislation includes $65 billion for broadband infrastructure, with key provisions based on my bill to expand broadband access across the nation.”
  • “This will make a big difference in our rural communities. With broadband access, many farmers will now be able to take advantage of precision technology that can detect soil moisture and tractors that use wireless connections to send data back to farms. In addition to supporting our farmers and ranchers, this will also help protect our nation’s food supply.”
  • “Small businesses will benefit, too. As e-commerce grows, bolstering our broadband infrastructure will enable them to compete with larger companies online, ensuring they have the digital tools to sell goods and reach customers from afar.”

Read the full op-ed here.

# # #