Sinema Questions Federal Nominees on Efficient Implementation of Her Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Statement

Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema questioned Commerce Department and Federal Communications Commission nominees during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing about implementation of her bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and effectively deploying the new law's historic broadband investment.

"I was proud to work with Senator Portman, the White House, Chair Cantwell, and many colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this historic law that includes our largest investment ever in closing the digital divide… and Arizonans expect the law to be implemented in a fair and expedient manner to benefit our communities," said Sinema, co-author and negotiator of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and member of the Senate Commerce Committee.

The hearing considered the nominations of Gigi Sohn to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission; Alan Davidson to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Jed Kolko to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs; and Viquar Ahmad to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

Sinema questioned Mr. Davidson about his approach to effectively and responsibly implementing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law to close the digital divide for Arizona families if he is confirmed. Additionally, Sinema pressed Ms. Sohn on how to achieve lasting net neutrality protections and the appropriate level of federal regulation over broadband.

In November, Sinema discussed during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing the importance of the Federal Communications Commission completing new nationwide broadband maps to determine the greatest need for broadband and begin deploying it in Arizona and across the country. The Federal Communications Commission Chair pledged to complete the broadband mapping process as quickly as possible, paving the way for broadband deployment in Arizona.

Sinema's bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act law makes historic and sweeping investments in repairing and upgrading America's critical infrastructure, including $65 billion to deploy high-speed broadband, expand broadband internet access, and help families afford broadband service.

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