Press Releases

Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced that Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) will join the House Rural Broadband Task Force.

Created in 2019, this Task Force is comprised of 27 House Democrats working to close the digital divide within the next three years.

“An investment in broadband is an investment in our rural communities. It is an investment in our nation’s success and an investment in our future,” said Leger Fernández. “Broadband is a critical piece of our infrastructure – without it, our communities cannot thrive. Countless New Mexican students and workers living in rural and Tribal communities don’t have internet and can’t get access to education, health care, or business opportunities. As an attorney, I helped get broadband in the ground and onto computers in rural tribal areas; I was part of teams that faced unnecessary hurdles and convoluted processes of securing broadband. I will use my experience to ensure that Congress provides all New Mexicans with easier access to this critical infrastructure.”

During the 117^th Congress, the House Rural Broadband Task Force will continue its efforts to permanently close the digital divide through legislative initiatives, including the reintroduction of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, as well as by engaging in meaningful partnerships with communities and stakeholders.

“World class high-speed internet service should be accessible and affordable to all Americans no matter where they live, yet large parts of rural America lack the access they need,” said Whip Clyburn. “That is why I created the Rural Broadband Task Force to promote high-speed internet accessibility, affordability and adoption for everyone in this country. Reps. Bustos, Kahele, Leger Fernandez and Torres have each demonstrated a commitment to our goal of ensuring underserved communities are never left behind again and I am pleased to welcome them to our Task Force.”

Background:

In the 116^th Congress, the House Rural Broadband Task Force introduced H.R. 7302, the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which passed the House of Representatives last summer as a part of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.

Certain proposals included in the Task Force’s bill were incorporated into the enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was signed into law in December. The enacted provisions included the establishment of a new Emergency Broadband Benefit, which will provide a $50 monthly discount to help millions of students, families, and unemployed workers afford the internet service they need during the pandemic.