Rep. Weber Delivers Opening Remarks at Bakersfield Hearing on Enhancing Rural Broadband

Washington, D.C. - House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Vice Chair Randy Weber (R-TX) delivered the following opening remarks at today's field hearing in Bakersfield, California, titled "Perspectives From the Fields: the State of Rural Broadband in America."

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTIVITY

"Welcome to Bakersfield, California, for today's hearing to discuss the importance of rural broadband.

"We'll be focusing mostly today on precision agriculture, but the transformative power of connectivity is much wider.

"I'd like to start by thanking our witnesses for being here today. They are all integral members of this community here to talk about the unique opportunities that internet connectivity provides the great people of Bakersfield and other communities across the country.

"I'd also like to thank Representative Valadao. His gracious invitation to engage with his district on this issue will let us all hear directly from Americans in their own hometown."

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

"We are in the early stages of an unprecedented effort to close the digital divide, funded by the American taxpayer to the tune of $100 billion.

"The goal of each of those programs is to connect all Americans-especially those in rural America who have been disconnected for decades. The government has to stay out of the way to allow the private sector to give each unique community the tailored approach it deserves.

"Broadband connectivity enables some of the greatest technologies that we have today. Precision agriculture is increasing crop yield and decreasing the resources required for all sorts of farming. Access to broadband internet is providing new opportunities to rural communities for innovation: from drones used to monitor crop health to autonomous tractors.

"My worry is that short-sighted programmatic requirements, workforce shortages, and permitting delays could jeopardize the once-in-a-lifetime investment being made by the American taxpayer. We must find creative solutions to connect every acre of the United States, and there cannot be a one size fits all approach.

"Satellites have always played a key role in precision agriculture, originating with imagery and analysis of crop coverage or water research. Now, with low-earth orbit systems in the mix, satellite internet provides reliable, high-speed connectivity even in the most remote corners of farmland."

E&C OVERSIGHT

"This committee is conducting the necessary oversight to ensure that the agencies administering this funding are coordinating, staying on task and focusing on the primary purpose of this funding: connecting the unserved.

"Next week we will have an oversight hearing with Alan Davidson, the Assistant Secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. But today, I want to hear from you about what we can do to help ensure that you are benefitting from the federal programs designed to help you.

"For far too long, rural America has borne the brunt of the digital divide. We now have the chance to change that. I look forward to hearing from members of this community about their stories, and about the impact of bringing broadband to rural communities."

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