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FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Rural Broadband Access

Original title: BUILDING OPPORTUNITY IN RURAL AMERICA THROUGH AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, AND HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND

January 1, 2019

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal record of testimony used by Congress to evaluate the need for federal investment and policy changes regarding broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Rural residents

The availability and quality of broadband services directly impact their access to digital services, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Agricultural producers

Broadband connectivity is increasingly required for modern farming operations and market participation.

Tribal communities

Tribal lands often face unique challenges regarding infrastructure deployment and connectivity.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit held a hearing on July 11, 2019, to discuss the impact of high-speed internet on rural American communities. The session featured testimony from economic development leaders, medical professionals, tribal representatives, and agricultural advocates regarding the necessity of reliable broadband for rural growth.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on July 11, 2019, in Room 1300 of the Longworth House Office Building.
  • The hearing was conducted by the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, part of the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • The primary subject was the role of affordable, reliable, and high-speed broadband in rural economic development.
  • Witnesses included representatives from economic development organizations, the medical field, tribal government, and the agricultural sector.
  • The Western Governors' Association submitted a letter for the record regarding broadband issues.
  • The hearing is documented as Serial No. 116-15.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to examine how high-speed broadband internet access affects economic and social opportunities in rural areas of the United States.
Who testified at the hearing?
Witnesses included David Hengel (Greater Bemidji, Inc.), Neela Mollgaard (Red Wing Ignite), Dr. David C. Hess (Augusta University), Councilwoman Ophelia Watahomigie-Corliss (Havasupai Tribe), and C. Blake Hurst (Missouri Farm Bureau Federation).

Why It Matters

This hearing serves as a formal record of testimony used by Congress to evaluate the need for federal investment and policy changes regarding broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Broadband as an Agricultural Issue

The inclusion of broadband infrastructure under the House Committee on Agriculture highlights the shift toward viewing internet access as a critical utility for modern farming and rural survival.

Connected Entities

personNeela MollgaardExecutive Director, Red Wing IgniteMap →
personDavid ScottChairman of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and CreditMap →
personOphelia Watahomigie-CorlissCouncilwoman, Havasupai TribeMap →
personDavid C. HessDean, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta UniversityMap →
personC. Blake HurstPresident, Missouri Farm Bureau FederationMap →
organizationWestern Governors' AssociationSubmitted testimony via James D. OgsburyMap →
personDavid HengelExecutive Director, Greater Bemidji, Inc.Map →
personAustin ScottRanking Minority Member of the SubcommitteeMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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