HR 2419

The Senate passed a bill on Friday-- technically an "amendment in the nature of a substitute" which means they put their bill in place of the House bill so the two versions will have to be agreed to in conference by both the House and Senate.  Both call for a National Center for Rural Telecom Assessment to prepare studies and issue reports on the state of access.  In addition, they both include a $25M loan program for broadband expansion to rural areas.

US Telecom President, Walter McCormick praised the work of Senator's Harkin, Chamblis, Salazar & Roberts for there committement to rural broadband and passage of this bill.