With billions of dollars being allocated as part of coronavirus relief legislation to address the digital divide during the pandemic, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and witnesses at a Feb. 17 House communications and technology subcommittee's hearing on "Connecting America: Broadband Solutions to Pandemic Problems" agreed there will still be more work to be done after the pandemic ends. "As we have become all too aware over the past year, universal broadband connectivity is critical to our economy, to our education of our youth, and to keeping our communities safe and connected during this unprecedented crisis," subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D., Pa.) said. "Americans have struggled to get connected and stay connected." Though he said investing in infrastructure to ensure all parts of the country have access to broadband is critical, Mr. Doyle was one of many Democrats who argued broadband affordability is also a critical problem that needs to be solved.
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