WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a markup of several broadband permitting bills. 

“There is no better time than now to enact these bills. We are on the verge of closing the digital divide. After four years of delays caused by the Biden-Harris Administration, deployment will soon begin through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (or BEAD) program,” said Chairman Hudson. “But for this program to succeed, permitting reform is essential. Otherwise, all this money will be tied up in unnecessary reviews and bureaucratic delays. We cannot let the millions of unserved and underserved Americans continue waiting for the connectivity they need simply because we failed to modernize outdated rules.”

Legislative Vote Summary:

• H.R. 1343, Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act, was forwarded without amendment to the Full Committee, by a voice vote.
• H.R. 1588, Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act, was forwarded without amendment to the Full Committee, by a voice vote.
• H.R. 1665, DIGITAL Applications Act, was forwarded without amendment to the Full Committee, by a voice vote.
• H.R. 1681, Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Act, was forwarded without amendment to the Full Committee, by a voice vote.
• H.R. 1731, Standard FEES Act, was forwarded without amendment to the Full Committee, by a voice vote. 
• H.R. 6046, the Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 2289, Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act , was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 12 Nays.

NOTE: 21 bills that had been noticed were included in an amendment to H.R. 2289, the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act.

Watch the full markup here. 

Below are key excerpts from today’s markup:

Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) on the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act: “This straightforward reform will remove a key barrier to broadband deployment, especially on federal lands, where reviews can take more than two years. This amendment combines legislation led by every one of my Republican colleagues on this committee, and I would like to thank them for their thoughtful proposals to bring affordable broadband to their communities quickly and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on more red tape.” 

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) on the Federal Broadcast Deployment Tracking Act: “At the last hearing we had on this issue, we heard several detailed examples from providers across telecommunications spectrum outlining the urgent need for this legislation. [...] Passing the federal broadband deployment tracking act would be a crucial step towards fixing this process and closing the digital divide, creating a more connected future for all Americans.”

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) on the CABLE Competition Act: “The bottom line is competition lowers prices and certainly attracts capital. The CABLE Competition Act delivers both, allowing consumers to keep the contract, cut the delays and delivering families better service at a better price.” 

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