A bipartisan coalition of 28 lawmakers is urging Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to make providing access to mobile broadband in rural areas a priority.

“We support your efforts to close the digital divide for low-income and rural Americans," the lawmakers, who include Sens. Roger Wicker Roger Frederick WickerHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections GOP senators unveil new bill to update tech liability protections Poisoning of Putin opponent could test US-Moscow relationship MORE (R-Miss.), Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week MORE (D-W.Va.) and Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharEPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates Biden marks anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, knocks Trump and McConnell MORE (D-Minn.), wrote in a letter to Pai.

"Going forward, these efforts must include removing barriers to broadband deployment and promoting innovation, as well as adopting a Universal Service Fund (USF) Mobility Fund Phase II (MFII).”

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The Universal Service Fund is composed of telecommunications subsidies and fees managed by the FCC to promote universal access to telecom services for the public. The mobility fund specifically supports the expansion of broadband networks with up to $500 million available for deploying and maintaining mobile broadband and voice service in high-cost rural areas.

The buildout of broadband services in those areas has been slower because there are few customers to support the expenses of building the needed infrastructure.

Pai was critical of the fund in a Medium post Thursday.

“Right now, the federal government spends about $25 million of taxpayer money each month to subsidize wireless carriers in areas where private capital has been spent building out networks," Pai wrote. “This is perhaps a textbook definition of waste: public funds being spent to do what the private sector has already done.”

Pai has said that as chairman he will prioritize expanding broadband options and bridging the “digital divide” between urban and rural areas.

During a Senate Broadband Caucus panel on bridging the digital divide on Wednesday, Klobuchar expressed hope that broadband initiatives would be included in future infrastructure legislation.

“My number one priority is to make sure [an infrastructure bill] has broadband,” she said.

Klobuchar noted that she had spoken with Wilbur Ross, Trump's nominee for Commerce secretary.

“I personally met with Wilbur Ross in my office and specifically asked [about broadband] and he said it should be included in any package.”