Vangie Williams wants to expand access to broadband Internet for Americans in Virginia’s 1st District and all throughout America
Fair and unfettered access to high-speed internet is critical for success in the 21st Century. It opens the door to things like telecommuting, online education, and new labor markets. Having access to broadband Internet is crucial for a successful in life in our current society.
It’s time to provide broadband Internet access to Americans throughout the 1st District of Virginia and across the country.
How do we make this happen?
We start by tackling this challenge the way we brought electricity to every area of the country.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 revolutionized power in America. Through the issuance of block grants to private corporations over the next few decades following the Act’s passage, the federal government helped provide access to electricity for millions of Americans. We take this for granted now, but the economic impact was immeasurable.
Today, almost 30 percent of U.S. farms have no access to the Internet, and nearly 40 percent of rural Americans lack access to the minimum download and upload speeds for broadbands. This is a huge problem given that only four percent of Americans in urban areas lack high-speed connections.
Once in Congress, I will work with the entire Virginia congressional delegation to ensure that block grant opportunities within the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture are pursued and won to provide more funding to Virginia’s Broadband Infrastructure Loan Fund, allowing all jurisdictions to build broadband infrastructure to even the most distant borders.
Furthermore, I will work with the Department of Transportation to make sure that any and all federal funding for highway projects come with the stipulation that broadband conduit installation be included in all new construction to further aid in the process of “wiring up” all rural areas, not only in the 1st District but the entire country.
A recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction, known as the Connect America Fund Phase II auction, will help bring broadband access to rural areas of Virginia, including James City, King and Queen, Prince William, Richmond, and Spotsylvania counties. Private partnerships with Verizon Communications, Inc. and Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation will share responsibilities for expanding broadband access to these areas.
This is how we begin to eliminate the digital divide and make broadband accessible to all communities. Imagine the economic and social impact from these efforts.
Patients in rural areas will be able to visit their doctor with a computer without the pain and burden of travel. Students will be able to save on costly room and board by accessing online coursework. Working parents will be able to telecommute in rapidly growing data sectors and add to our GDP, truly making us a country that values families.
These are just three examples of the social and economic benefits of broadband.
Rep. Wittman has failed to take real action on this issue. I will work on behalf of the people of the district and all Americans to help make lives better by expanding access to and making broadband Internet available everywhere.
Vangie Williams
Candidate for Congress
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Vangie Williams is a public servant and strategic planner who solves problems for our federal government. A real-world professional with 30 years of experience, Vangie is not a career politician who will put corporate interests above people. She is committed to an economy for everyone, healthy families and investing in our communities. Learn more about her vision to put people first at www.vangieforcongress.com.
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