Warner amendment targets funding for rural Internet

The Senate unanimously added an amendment to the farm bill on Wednesday that would require that a portion of federal grants be used to expand high-speed Internet access to under-served areas.

The Senate's farm bill would double funding for the Agriculture Department's rural Internet programs — from $25 million to $50 million.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) would require that 25 percent of the money go to areas that qualify as either unserved or under-served for broadband access.

His measure would also strengthen reporting requirements for the program, which is run by the Agriculture Department's Rural Utilities Service.

In a statement, Warner noted only 57 percent of rural households and fewer than one-third of rural farms have access to broadband Internet. About 70 percent of urban households have broadband access.

"At a time when federal, state and local support for economic development is shrinking, we should more closely target these limited resources to close the digital divide in rural communities in Virginia and across the country,” Warner said.

Taxpayer groups and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association issued statements applauding Warner's amendment.

The Senate is expected to approve the farm bill late Wednesday.

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