Pingree Welcomes Bipartisan Rural Broadband Expansion Legislation

As a Member of the House Rural Broadband Caucus, Pingree Notes More Work is Needed to Get Maine Connected

Following the House Agriculture Committee’s markup of the bipartisan Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement:

“Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury—

it’s an essential service that keeps our businesses, homes, and lives connected to one another, especially in the most rural state in the country. Maine currently ranks 43rd out of our 50 states in broadband access and connectivity. This is an urgent issue we must solve for our future economic security and U.S. Department of Agriculture broadband programs have not always worked well in Maine. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am proud that we have recognized this critical need on a bipartisan basis and authorized additional investments and several key program improvements. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that these programs are deployed in a way that truly helps Mainers get connected and will advocate for increased funding for these programs through my seat on the House Appropriations Committee.”

As a member of the House Rural Broadband Caucus, Congresswoman Pingree advocated for programmatic changes that will better support Maine’s rural broadband expansion through the House Agriculture Committee. As one of the most rural states in the country, Maine’s broadband connectivity rates are among the lowest in the nation.