WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Modernization, Accountability, and Planning (MAP) for Broadband Funding Act, to provide oversight of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Funding Map to ensure it is functioning effectively for the public, federal agencies, and broadband providers.
Fischer and Cortez Masto originally created the Broadband Funding Map as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With oversight needed to ensure federal agencies are utilizing the Map to its full potential, the MAP For Broadway Funding Act will ensure that these agencies are reliably reporting their funding data to the FCC.
“I have worked diligently for years to close the digital divide for unserved and underserved communities. My work with Senator Cortez Masto was underscored by the Broadband Funding Map, which we created in 2021. While I’m pleased the FCC launched the Map in 2023, it is clear oversight is needed here to ensure all federal agencies are utilizing the Map to its full potential. I won’t relent in my efforts to expand Internet connectivity for those who lack access—this is a critical step in that mission,” Fischer said.
“As we work to expand broadband access across the country, it’s critical that we do with as much transparency, accountability, and coordination as possible. Reliable access to the internet is already so important for people to work and take care of their everyday tasks. Congress must ensure we continue to expand its access efficiently,” Cortez Masto said.
“Big thanks to Senators Fischer and Cortez Masto for their work in bringing about the MAP for Broadband Funding Act. By improving the accuracy and transparency of the Broadband Funding Map, we can more effectively target federal funding for broadband deployment where it’s truly needed. Plus, requiring federal agencies to report broadband deployment data to the FCC and NTIA will strengthen coordination and accountability across programs,”USTelecom President and CEO Jonathan Spalter said.
“Senator Fischer should be commended for marshaling the Federal Communications Commission and the Government Accountability Office to ensure that precious federal broadband dollars are spent as efficiently as possible. CostQuest appreciates the Senator’s data-driven approach to ensuring accountability for broadband spending across the government,”CostQuest Associates said.
Background:
The MAP for Broadband Funding Act provides fresh oversight for the FCC’s Broadband Funding Map to ensure the Map is functioning effectively, efficiently, and transparently as possible for the public, federal agencies, and broadband providers alike.
To meet this goal, the bill:
- Directs the FCC to conduct a Notice of Inquiry on the Map’s function and data it displays for maximum usability, assessing any necessary updates from a user-experience perspective, and
- Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate how well federal agencies are populating the Map in compliance with current law, identifying any gaps in reporting for its optimum functionality.
