Bills to Accelerate $43 Billion Broadband Plan Go to House Floor

House Energy and Commerce Committee members advanced to the floor a package that aims to fast-track deployment of a $42.5 billion federal broadband program for American homes and businesses.

“With billions of dollars heading out the door to get shovels in the ground and finally close the digital divide, we must also remove other barriers to deployment,” Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) said during Wednesday’s committee markup. “Unpredictable timeliness, expensive and sometimes duplicative reviews, and lack of transparency all contribute to deployment delays.”

The panel approved seven broadband-related bills that would track federal deployment requests, expedite permitting application processes, eliminate environmental ...