U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) on April 2 commended the inclusion of two bills he championed to expand broadband access that recently became law as part of larger, bipartisan legislation changing how broadband data is collected.

“This is a great victory for our rural communities, and I appreciate my colleagues for their hard work on getting this past the finish line,” said Rep. Long.

The president on March 23 signed into law the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, S. 1822, which requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the way broadband data is collected, verified and reported. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) sponsored the legislation.

The measure contains provisions from the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services (MAPS) Act, H.R. 4227, and the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act, H.R. 4229, both introduced by Rep. Long.

“Internet accessibility should not be determined by your zip code, but for many families, small businesses, farmers, and healthcare providers in rural communities, it’s an unfortunate reality,” Rep. Long said. “By signing this into law, President Trump has ensured that more Americans, regardless of their geographical location, will be able to participate in our 21st-century economy, ultimately evening the playing field and lessening the digital divide.”

Rep. Long introduced the bipartisan H.R. 4227 as the lead original cosponsor in September 2019 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA) to make it unlawful to willfully, knowingly or recklessly submit inaccurate broadband coverage information or data, also known as mapping data, to the FCC, according to the congressional record summary.

Rep. Long also in September 2019 was an original cosponsor of H.R. 4229 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) to require the FCC to collect and disseminate broadband maps from wired, fixed-wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband providers by establishing the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric — a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid — as the vehicle for reporting broadband service availability data, according to the congressional record.

During the COVID-19 crisis, as schools and offices around the country remain closed, the capability to stay connected is crucially important for Americans to work, learn and receive healthcare through telehealth from home, according to Rep. Long’s office, which noted that the larger S. 1822 will ensure that federal broadband programs are using accurate data and up-to-date maps.