For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (March 27, 2020)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the passage of the CARES Act.
“NTCA greatly appreciates the work of Congress to pass the CARES Act in order to respond to the health care and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 virus. In particular, we welcome the bill’s inclusion of funding for rural connectivity programs and provisions to strengthen paid leave and telehealth access – issues that are critical to the well-being of rural communities. Our thoughts are with those directly and indirectly affected by the virus. In particular, NTCA looks forward to ensuring that the millions of Americans now studying at home, teleworking, and accessing critical care via telemedicine remain connected to the internet.
“We look forward as well to working with members of Congress as they may consider additional emergency appropriations bills. In that vein, we cannot recommend strongly enough that any further legislation of this kind include the “Keeping Critical Connections Act.” This bill would help sustain many essential connections if customers become unable to pay their broadband bills due to a loss or reduction in income related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it would also empower the offering of free or discounted service or broadband upgrades to households with students in need of distance learning capability.
“NTCA greatly appreciates the leadership of Sens. Klobuchar and Cramer, and Reps. Welch and Marshall, and all of their colleagues for introducing this important legislation, as it represents the best possible means to keep customers connected at a time when such access is needed most and the economic challenges are greatest.”
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