EmailTemplate-Responsive <[link removed]> Connecting Alabama
???????


Dear John??
Right now, in our country, there are 21.3 million rural Americans who live
without reliable broadband. Here at home access to broadband is below the
national average, with almost a third of homes in rural Alabama lacking access
to a reliable broadband connection. This reality impacts so many people in our
district, and the Coronavirus pandemic has only put a spotlight on this digital
divide.???????
Immediate Need

As you know, rural broadband has been one of my top priorities in Congress
for a long time. We have been able to make big strides in recent years by
implementing programs like ReConnect, which I was proud to have led the fight
to get that created. However, I know that more needs to be done, and the
Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted how important it is to finally get rural
broadband done.




When this pandemic started, I knew that broadband
<[link removed]>
would be an essential issue with millions of people forced to work from home.
While many were able to transition to teleworking, for folks in rural areas
this has been extremely difficult. It was because of this that I fought hard to
secure funding for rural broadband in the CARES Act, and I was very pleased
that $340 million was allocated to this issue. Here is how that funding was
broken down:

$340 million to Rural Broadband


*
* $200 million to FCC?s Connected Care Pilot program
* $100 million to go through the ReConnect program
* $25 million to the Distance Learning and Telemedicine programs
* $15 million to the Rural Telehealth programs LHHS and HRSA


This funding is a step in the right direction, but if it is only used for
temporary measures in rural communities then the problem on inadequate rural
broadband will continue to persist. That?s why Iurged Congressional leadership
to make CARES Act funds eligible
<[link removed]>
for permanent rural broadband infrastructure and that Congress provides
additional time for the buildout of new infrastructure.???????

Kids Starting School

I believe one of the most critical reasons to secure high quality and
reliable broadband for rural communities is the fact thatschool is starting up
all across Alabama <[link removed]>. While
we are all eager to get our kids back in school, the reality of the COVID-19
pandemic has forced school districts to make tough decisions between reopening
completely, implementing a hybrid model, or going fully online. What makes this
decision even harder for schools is that many of their students will not have
access to the broadband they need to attend virtual class or complete online
learning. This reality is beyond unacceptable. Kids should not have to
sacrifice their education just because they live in rural communities and don?t
have reliable broadband.???????

Solutions are Overdue

As I said earlier, there have been great strides made over the past few years
when it comes to rural broadband. However, there is a long way to go, and
solving this issue once and for all is long overdue. I will continue to do
everything in my power to secure high quality and reliable broadband across our
state, because no community should be without it. The fight for this issue is
not over, and I am certainly not putting my gloves down anytime soon ? it?s
high time we get rural broadband done.???????

High School?Football Is Back?

Finally, I want to mention that high school football is back across Alabama.?
The pandemic has created a number of challenges to schools and to athletics,
but most have found a way to move forward.

Just as I support a fall college football season, I believe having a high
school football season can be done safely for the student athletes, the
coaching staff and the fans.? I also believe that having sports is a big morale
booster for everyone involved.

So good luck to all the schools across the 4th Congressional District.? I
hope you?have a safe, healthy and successful season.? And Go Lions!



?

???????????Sincerely,

???? <[link removed]>
<[link removed]> <[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]> Please do not respond to this
message. If you would like to send an email to Congressman Aderholt use the
contact link above. To unsubscribe from future mailings click here to
unsubscribe <>