Kings County Times

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) convened a field hearing with members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Western Caucus today, focusing on the state of rural broadband in America. The hearing featured testimonies from local service providers about various federal programs that assist Central Valley families in maintaining access to high-speed, reliable internet.

"Internet connectivity is a necessity for nearly everything – from healthcare, work, school, and even modern farming applications," Congressman Valadao stated. "As we continue to rely on the internet for so many parts of our daily lives, ensuring rural and lower-income communities stay connected is one of my top priorities. Thank you to my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and Western Caucus for coming out to Bakersfield for this very timely and important hearing."

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 19 million Americans still lack access to fixed broadband service. This issue is particularly pronounced in rural areas where nearly a quarter of the population does not have access to reliable broadband.

In March, Congressman Valadao collaborated with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to send a letter to Congressional Leadership. They urged an extension of funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Almost 3 million Californians are enrolled in the ACP, a federal program designed to ensure affordability of broadband access for Americans in rural and underserved communities.