Congressman Paul Gosar Fights For and Obtains Rural Broadband Loan Authorization

Press Release

Congressman Paul Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-01) took to the House Floor on June 15, 2011 and voiced strong support for a bipartisan amendment proposed by Congressman Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Congressman Bill Owens (D-NY) to HR 2112, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The Gibson Amendment reduced the Department of Agriculture's real estate rental budget by $6 million and transferred those funds to the Rural Utilities Service's Broadband Loan Program, which had been completely cut in the appropriations bill. The loan program encourages private investment in broadband infrastructure in underserved areas like those in Arizona's First Congressional District. In addition, RUS Broadband Loan Program projects are funded with loans that must be paid back with interest -- creating a win/win situation for rural broadband consumers and taxpayers. Over the life of the program, over $33.3 million in loans have been issued in the State of Arizona. As argued by Congressman Gosar to the House of Representatives:

"I think this is exactly what the American people want us to do here in Washington. The people expect us to be responsible with their tax money . . . There is no doubt that the USDA does good work, and that it should have suitable work space to conduct its work, but the USDA has 3 million square feet of prime office space on the National Mall . . . To learn that the USDA also has a "campus" in Maryland that occupies another 45 acres of land is concerning.

With all that office space currently available to the USDA in the Washington area, and an additional $151 million to rent office space elsewhere, why does the USDA want to rent more office space in D.C.?

I therefore support the 4% reduction in the $151 million rental appropriation and the reallocation of that money to something that actually helps the taxpayers--rural broadband loan programs. I have spoken on this Floor about the problems in my District and other rural communities across America. These rural communities are the backbone of our country. We need to focus on improving our rural communities, and trading off luxury offices used by bureaucrats in exchange for rural broadband loans is an idea I will support and urge others to do so as well.

The amendment passed the House 221 votes to 198 after the Congressman's speech and now is part of the House appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture.

"I was particularly concerned about this issue because broadband access is critical to economic growth, job creation, distance learning, telemedicine, and security in the rural areas in my District, including the Navajo Nation and the former Bennett Freeze Area," said Gosar. Gosar also added, "I am focused on improving the lives of all Americans, but the Navajo Nation is at the top of the list of areas that need attention. This amendment, now part of the appropriations package, is another step to help remedy the problems faced by the Navajo and rural Arizonans."

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