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The President recently signed into law the Broadband DATA Act, a bill led in the House of Representatives by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5), and the Secure 5G and Beyond Act. These bipartisan bills passed out of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, where Congressman Latta is the Republican Leader, and they work to ensure Americans in rural, suburban, and urban communities have access to reliable and secure Internet connectivity.

Today, The Blade’s Editorial Board wrote about the Broadband DATA Act, “The goal of the new law is to ensure federal funding for rural broadband Internet service in areas that today lack this 21st century necessity — a need that has become all the more urgent amid the stay-at-home orders resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.” To read their complete editorial, click here.

Congressman Latta penned an op-ed in The Blade highlighting the importance of each bill: 

Latta: Connectivity counts

Rep. Bob Latta | April 4, 2020

As we follow recommendations to stay home and distance ourselves from one another, our interconnected world is more important than ever as schools and offices are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. … 

The reality is, many Americans across the country and Ohioans in the district I represent who live in rural areas don’t have reliable Internet connectivity. If that doesn’t change, they will be left behind.

As the leading Republican on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I teamed up with members of Congress from both sides on legislation that helps improve our broadband-mapping capabilities.

With improved maps identifying where broadband services are needed, we can make sure our limited resources are directed to those who need them most.

One of those bills, the Broadband DATA Act, recently received President Trump’s signature. Mr. Trump also signed into law the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020.

Both laws take key steps to expand access to broadband services and secure our networks.

As more Americans work, learn, and receive care through telehealth from home, the Broadband DATA Act will help us more accurately identify the number of Americans who currently cannot access standard broadband services.

We cannot address communities who need these resources the most without knowing where exactly these communities are.

At the same time, we must prepare our networks for the 5G future and ensure federal agencies work together on a comprehensive plan to identify and address security risks in 5G and future wireless technologies. The Secure 5G and Beyond Act requires exactly that. …

I believe in the resiliency of the people of this country, the commitment of the American worker, and the entrepreneurship of our small business owners. We will get through this.

To read the full op-ed in The Blade, click here. 

To learn more about the Broadband DATA Act and the Secure 5G and Beyond Act, read the article by David Patch in The Blade: New Law Authored By Latta Promotes Better Broadband Service In Rural Areas. 

Congressman Latta encourages anyone who needs assistance to contact his office in Bowling Green at 419-354-8700. Ohioans living in the Fifth Congressional District can also call 419-318-8925 to leave a message and Congressman Latta’s team will respond as soon as possible. For up-to-date information, visit Congressman Latta’s website at www.latta.house.gov.

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