Congressman Clyburn led the effort to provide universal access to high-speed internet by forming the Rural Broadband Task Force — a group of over two dozen House members.
In July 2020, the Rural Broadband Task Force partnered with the House Energy and Commerce Committee to craft the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which passed the House of Representatives. It offered a comprehensive proposal to expand high-speed access, affordability, and adoption.
After the coronavirus pandemic exposed the inequities in the delivery of education, health care, and employment due to a lack of internet access, House Democrats included in the American Rescue Plan Act language and resources that allow state and local governments to invest in expanding its broadband infrastructure. The bill allocated over $7 billion for students to remain online during the pandemic by establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund.
Congressman Clyburn played an integral role in the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became law on November 15, 2021. This bill included significant components of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act and invested a historic $65 billion to expand affordable access to high-speed internet access.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:
- Invests over $42 billion for future-proof infrastructure and prioritizing funding for persistent poverty communities.
- Requires an affordable option along with newly built networks, complemented by policies that ensure consumer fairness and transparency.
- Provides $2.75 billion for digital inclusion and adoption to ensure all communities have the tools they need to meaningfully operate in the digital age.
- Invests over $14 billion to transition the Emergency Broadband Benefit to the long-term Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure qualifying households continue to receive discounts on internet bills. See if you qualify here: https://www.fcc.gov/acp