Murphy joins bipartisan, bicameral group to send letter in support of federal funding for broadband internet in rural areas

Greenville, N.C. – On Monday, April 6, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of federal lawmakers in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to include funding for broadband internet in any further legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative was led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS-01). More specifically, the letter calls for increased funding to help small broadband providers sustain internet services and upgrades for students and low-income families.

“In rural parts of America like eastern North Carolina, there has already been a need for more robust broadband internet service. Now, with thousands of hardworking eastern North Carolinians working from home and children forced to stay home from school, we need reliable internet more than ever. I thank my colleagues in the Senate and House for taking the initiative to send this letter, and it is my hope that leadership in both chambers include this important funding in any new COVID-19 legislation,” said Murphy.

Other members of the House of Representatives who signed the letter include Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH-02), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY-02), Troy Balderson (R-OH-12), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Steve Watkins (R-KS-02), Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), Don Young (R-AK-AL) and David McKinley (R-WV-01).

Other members of the Senate who signed the letter include Tina Smith (D-MN), Todd Young (R-IN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Tester (D-MT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Gary Peters (D-MI).