Bridging the Digital Divide

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, this morning, 40 million Americans will begin their day without access to broadband internet. These high-speed broadband connections, which were once a luxury, have now become essential tools for students, businessowners, farmers, and patients.

Last year, historic BEAD funding was disbursed to the States. Today, it is critical that these funds are used efficiently, not to gold-plate the infrastructure in our cities, but to finally connect our rural communities to fast, reliable, high-speed internet.

Recently, I was proud to introduce the 5G SALE Act to require the FCC to release previously auctioned spectrum in order to expand access to 5G internet for communities across central and western Pennsylvania.

Bridging the digital divide has never been more important as we fight to ensure that our students can learn from home, that small businesses can operate from home, and that patients can heal from home. Enacting Republicans' Commitment to America

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in the past 10 months since retaking the majority, House Republicans have fought to enact our Commitment to America, working each day to forge an economy that is strong, to build a nation that is safe, to create a future that is built on freedom, and to once again have a government that is accountable to the American people.

We fought to reopen the people's House. We passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, 225-204, because Americans are paying too high a price for gas. We passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, 219-213, because President Biden's border crisis has made each and every State a border State. We passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, 213- 208, because parents deserve to be involved in their children's education.

These legislative victories have only been possible because House Republicans have remained united and willing to stand up to President Biden's radical agenda. It must be a top priority to fight President Biden's out-of-control spending, his Green New Deal initiatives, and his threats to strip away our constitutional rights.

Madam Speaker, it is time for House Republicans to renew our commitment to the American people and to our shared conservative values. The work that is still ahead is too great to waste any additional time.

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