Fighting for Rural Broadband Expansion and Veterans Job Training, Balderson Testifies for Two Appropriations Amendments

Press Release

Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) this week testified before the House Committee on Rules to support two amendments he offered to H.R. 3055, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2020.

Balderson's first amendment, bipartisan Amendment #2 to Division B, would increase appropriations to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) by $50 million to match the level provided to USDA in FY 2019 for the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program, known as ReConnect. This funding would be offset by the USDA building and facilities funding. The ReConnect Program provides high-speed broadband internet and related infrastructure to rural areas around the United States through partnerships with private telecom companies, rural cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers, and municipalities. Communities must meet certain size and speed standards to be eligible for the ReConnect Program.

"With a connection to high-speed internet, rural Americans gain expanded access to health care services, have increased capability to grow their small businesses, and benefit from drastically improved educational opportunities," said Congressman Balderson. "Improving and expanding the broadband infrastructure in rural America is good for the entire country."

Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX) offered his support of Balderson's ReConnect Program amendment, saying, "The ReConnect Program enhances health care through telemedicine services, provides rural students with stronger access to educational materials, and assists rural small businesses to compete in the digital marketplace. This seems to me to be an ideal type of amendment that we should make in order. This is not controversial -- it is in fact bipartisan -- and it deserves the opportunity to be debated on the House floor."

Balderson's second amendment, Amendment #89 to Division E, would direct $2 million from appropriations to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to the Forces to Flyers Initiative. Established in 2018, funding of the Forces to Flyers Initiative has enabled 44 military veterans to train to become commercial airline pilots.

"Our veterans have served our country, and this is an opportunity for our country to return the favor by preparing them for the civilian workforce," said Congressman Balderson, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Commercial aviation accounts for $1.5 trillion in annual U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million American jobs. Unfortunately, this is not enough to meet demand. According to the Boeing 2018 Pilot Outlook, North America will need 206,000 new pilots by 2037 to meet growing demand. The pilot shortage will only worsen if Congress does nothing."

Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) voiced his support for Balderson's Forces to Flyer Initiative amendment, saying, "You may not know, you cannot use your G.I. Bill for aviation training. You can use it to become an art history major, but you can't use it to become a commercial pilot in an industry that is experiencing great shortages. I appreciated the gentleman coming and testifying on his amendment and move to make that amendment in order."

Though both were unanimously supported by Rules Committee Republicans, both amendments were not made in order by the full committee, blocking them from consideration by the full House of Representatives for the final version of H.R. 3055 being voted on this week.

"I'm disappointed my amendments didn't pass committee, but I'll never stop fighting for rural broadband expansion and veterans' job training," said Congressman Balderson. "These programs are vital to the livelihoods of Americans and deserve to be supported."

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