Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) — alongside fellow co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus — announced the launch of the caucus in the 119th Congress. Co-chairs include U.S. Reps. Dave Taylor (R-OH-02), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06), Bob Latta (R-OH-05), and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03).

Founded in 2016, the bipartisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus has served as a forum for members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to spearhead solutions that close the broadband access gap across the country. The caucus is aimed at uniting leaders from the federal government, states, and the private sector to ensure all Americans have access to high-speed internet.

“High-speed broadband has the power to transform lives, which is why I’m proud to relaunch the Bipartisan Rural Broadband Caucus for the 119th Congress,” said Rep. Wittman. “Expanding internet access is essential to driving economic growth — especially in rural communities like where I live in Virginia’s Northern Neck as well as on the Middle Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. This issue has been a priority for me since my time on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors over 20 years ago. While we’ve made meaningful progress in narrowing the digital divide, there’s still more work to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to eliminate barriers and ensure every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet.”

“It’s hard to even quantify the exact percentage of Ohio’s Second Congressional District that lacks access to high-speed broadband because the existing maps are so wildly inaccurate,” said Rep. Taylor. “For decades, rural Americans have been left behind while those in more digitally-connected regions have been connected with the telehealth care options, educational programs, and job opportunities that should have been available to rural communities as well. Farmers, families, and businesses in Southern Ohio depend on gaining broadband access to keep up with changing technology, connect with the modern economy, and make local family businesses more profitable. I look forward to championing this effort in the Rural Broadband Caucus.”

“Reliable internet access is essential for families in Ohio and across the country. In many areas of my district, particularly in rural areas, I hear the need for reliable, high-speed connectivity,” said Rep. Latta. “It provides enormous opportunities, including educating our children, working remotely, increasing farmers’ yields, and accessing high-quality health care. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in re-launching this bipartisan Rural Broadband Caucus to work to advance solutions to ensure federal broadband funding reaches the unserved and underserved communities that need it most.”  

“From students taking online classes, to seniors relying on telehealth, to parents working remotely while taking care of kids at home -- every Minnesotan needs access to reliable, high-speed internet,”said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in relaunching the Rural Broadband Caucus to ensure that rural communities across our country are not left behind.”  

“Our efforts to deploy affordable, high-speed internet service are the modern equivalent of rural electrification in the 20th century,”said Rep. Clyburn. “Without reliable connections and meaningful adoption, rural and underserved communities will continue to be left behind in education, health care, and commerce. I look forward to collaborating with the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus to build on our efforts to finally close the digital divide.”

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