LaMalfa says broadband, veterans provisions included in House appropriations package

Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after his rural broadband and veterans’ affairs provisions were included in H.R. 7608 and subsequently passed the House.

The rural broadband provisions include an amendment that increases funding by $25 million for distance learning, telemedicine and broadband and an amendment that requires $50 million of the $915 million for the Rural Utilities Service to be spent on rural broadband in “unserved” areas.

“Reliable broadband coverage is desperately needed in rural America,” LaMalfa said. “Considering much of the North State is not served by internet service providers, this funding will help get these areas online.”

The Congressman also had a provision that requires state veterans’ affairs offices to provide information about pro-bono legal services for veterans within their respective areas.

“Legal assistance is high on the list of many of their important but unmet needs for our Veterans,” continued LaMalfa. “Given the success of this program at state-run VAs, this provision aims to make veterans across the country aware of the pro-bono services that are at their disposal close to their own homes. Both expanding broadband and taking care of our veterans continue to be an important part of my priorities. I’m glad to see these key provisions for the people of the North State included in today’s appropriations package.”