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Today, Congressman Bob Latta’s (R-OH5) legislation, the WIRELESS Leadership Act, was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The bill will provide much-needed transparency into the application process for broadband providers to invest in new or upgraded infrastructure and ensure the speedy approval process of broadband applications.

As Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Latta has worked to close the digital divide by expanding rural broadband access to communities who are unserved or underserved. Today, under Latta’s leadership, the subcommittee advanced 28 bills to streamline broadband permitting and deploy broadband Internet less expensively and more efficiently.

“Rural Ohioans know the struggle of accessing reliable rural broadband Internet, which has become critical to keep our economy moving and connect millions of Americans,” Latta said. “Over the years, billions of dollars have been allocated to expand rural broadband, and we’ve heard time and time again that reforming and simplifying broadband permitting will ensure these dollars connect more unserved or underserved communities. That’s why our subcommittee has advanced numerous bills today – including my WIRELESS Leadership Act – to streamline state and local permitting processes and remove cumbersome review processes for broadband deployment.

Latta continued, “As Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I’m pleased to work with Chair Rodgers and members of the committee to advance policies that will deploy broadband faster and connect communities across the country.”

“Many families and businesses across the country still lack access to broadband, which is a critical part of today’s economy,” Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers said. “Energy and Commerce is leading to remove regulatory red tape, deploy broadband faster, get Americans across the country connected, and close the digital divide once and for all. The legislative package we’ve unveiled will help us connect all Americans, and I commend Rep. Latta for his leadership on the WIRELESS Leadership Act, which will help us achieve these goals.”  

Click here for full bill text.

Latta’s work to improve rural broadband Internet access:

Through his work in Congress, Latta has championed efforts to close the digital divide for communities in Ohio and across America. These efforts include his Broadband Data Act – signed into law in 2020 – which required the FCC to create new and updated broadband maps to ensure federal resources are appropriately allocated to communities that lack internet access.

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