Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced that, early this morning, the United States Senate approved a bipartisan amendment they introduced to promote investment in broadband infrastructure for rural areas.

“Geographic hurdles and population density challanges have left many Nebraskans in rural areas without broadband service. In a world increasingly driven by technology
and communication, it is critical for citizens to have access to high-speed cable and Internet services. This bipartisan amendment specifically identifies broadband infrastructure as a priority for the federal government as it considers deficit-neutral investments for the coming fiscal year,” said Fischer.

“Access to reliable Internet is critical to growing our economy. People living in rural parts of Minnesota are just as entitled to high quality Internet as those living in our cities and towns. Passing my bipartisan amendment will prioritize the expansion of broadband connectivity in rural areas, something that I will continue to work toward until every Minnesotan has broadband access,” said Franken.

The amendment was offered by Senators Fischer and Franken to S. Con. Res. 8, the Senate budget, and was approved unanimously by voice vote. Importantly, this investment does not add to the federal deficit.