Our families and businesses need reliable, fast, affordable internet – that’s why Congressman Jack Bergman is achieving and fighting for more connectivity than ever before.
Whether you need to schedule a telehealth appointment with your primary care provider, attend an online class, join a zoom conference, shop online for a big birthday, or start an online career - broadband access is more important than ever, especially in rural and remote communities which have been sidelined for too long.
As a member of the Bipartisan House Rural Broadband Caucus and having started a Rural Connectivity Advisory Committee in Michigan’s First Congressional District, Jack Bergman has been supporting key programs to bring high speed broadband to your Michigan home and business as well as to improve telehealth access across our Nation.
Results:
Congressman Bergman has voted to provide billions of dollars for broadband infrastructure reserved for rural and remote areas in Michigan’s First Congressional District.
For Fiscal Year 2021 alone, Congressman Bergman got more than $2 billion in broadband funds signed into law through programs such as the NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grant Program and Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Congressman Bergman is advocating for local applicants seeking funds through these programs. He has helped achieve key local investments through these programs such as through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants ($2.5 million + for MI-1) and the USDA ReConnect Broadband Grant/Loan Program ($3.5 million + for MI-1), a program that he voted to establish.
In 2020, with COVID-19 suddenly increasing the necessity of broadband, Rep. Bergman voted for nearly $3.5 billion in emergency broadband funding for telehealth, mapping, and keeping families connected.
Congressman Bergman has also been closely involved in more largescale broadband infrastructure programs operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Auction results in 2021 yielded more than $200 million to build new broadband infrastructure to over 84,000 locations in MI-1. Jack Bergman, working with local providers receiving funding, has pressured the FCC to ensure these funds are implemented swiftly and efficiently.
Innovative Solutions
Congressman Bergman is leading legislative proposals to bridge the digital divide.
He has introduced bills such as:
H.R.4905 - the Big Tech Accountability for Broadband Act, which would force Big Tech companies to pay into key rural broadband programs that they benefit from. The programs targeted in this bill are currently by fees on your phone bill, a hidden tax on seniors and working families!
H.R.1610 - the Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act is another bill introduced by Jack Bergman, which would require the FCC to expedite and approve broadband funding application that would serve areas with shorter building seasons, such as areas prone to large snowfall. Anybody who has ever built anything in MI-1 knows that even a small delay before a long winter can be costly.
H.R.1362 - the BOOST Act. This bill would offer a tax credit up to $400 for certain taxpayers to buy a broadband communications signal booster.