This letter comes after the introduction of the Accessible, Affordable, Internet for All Act. This bill would be incredibly helpful for Californians living in rural areas, as 27 percent of rural Americans lack reliable broadband access in their homes. Lack of internet access is a severe impediment to students’ and schools’ ability to transition to distance learning models. This problem has been exacerbated by the current COVID-19 crisis that has many working and learning from their homes. Rural areas are also more reliant on telehealth services, which would connect communities with virtual medical care and expand healthcare access – something crucial for Central Valley residents with limited mobility or who live far away from a hospital or doctor. 

Lack of internet access has also left millions of Americans more vulnerable to the virus, as they lack access to the most up-to-date information on how to keep themselves safe for COVID-19.  

The letter states: “We are grateful for the federal investment from both the FCC’s Universal Service Fund and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This legislation includes an additional $100 million to the Reconnect Pilot Program in the CARES Act, which will provide critical funding to deploy broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas. However, we also know that significantly more investment is needed to ensure broadband is both accessible and affordable for all Californians. We ask for this investment in future COVID-relief legislation, and that the requirements for such programs consider the rural regions of California that continue to lack adequate funding.” 

Representatives signing the letter: Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jim Costa (CA-16), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Josh Harder (CA-10), and Julia Brownley (CA-26). 

Read the full letter text here.