CLYBURN, WILSON, AND SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION CALL ON HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE, HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06) and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) were joined by the entire South Carolina congressional delegation in calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to include robust measures to invest in the expansion of affordable, high-speed internet access in any upcoming stimulus package to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to House Majority Whip Clyburn and Congressman Wilson, the letter was signed by Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Tim Scott (SC) and Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Tom Rice (SC-07), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Joe Cunningham (SC-01), and William Timmons (SC-04).

 “During this pandemic, unconnected Americans are at more of a disadvantage than ever,” the lawmakers wrote. “Many facilities that previously provided free internet access, such as libraries and schools, are now closed in many states, and students without this access are likely to fall behind their peers. Patients may have difficulty receiving the appropriate health care if they are unable to interact with their provider through remote video communication. Americans without an internet connection are also unable to access information provided online by federal, state, and local public health officials, increasing their vulnerability to the virus. These compelling reasons for expanding affordable broadband access only scratch the surface of the urgency of the need to connect all Americans."

The full text of the letter can be found here.