AG Derek Schmidt to Congress: Protect rural broadband access as part of any additional COVID-19 relief legislation

Congress should ensure that all Americans have the home internet connectivity necessary to participate in telemedicine, teleschooling and telework as part of any additional COVID-19 relief legislation, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt told U.S. Senate and House leadership in a letter sent last week. “Large portions of rural America, including here in Kansas, currently lack broadband access at a time when many of our critical needs are being fulfilled online,” Schmidt said. “It’s essential that Congress take action to prevent government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from worsening the existing digital divide and ensure access to work, school and healthcare for all Americans.”