ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) today joined a coalition of nearly two dozen free-market organizations on a letter opposing the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy (BRIDGE) Act, introduced by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Angus King (I-Maine). The legislation would represent a massive government intrusion into the broadband marketplace while failing to address the root causes of the digital divide, that percentage of Americans who truly lack access to high-speed internet. 

CFIF President Jeffrey Mazzella released the following statement:

“Every American should have access to high-speed internet, but the BRIDGE Act would fall far short of achieving that goal. The legislation’s priority seems to be promoting government-owned-and-operated broadband networks rather than pursuing commonsense, bipartisan policies that would actually get more Americans online. Policymakers should focus instead on partnering with the private sector to bring networks to areas that truly lack them, especially in rural America, and making broadband more affordable for low-income families. 

“Pursuing redundant network builds in areas that already have good broadband access, as the BRIDGE Act would do, is a waste of taxpayer dollars. The legislation also misses an opportunity to streamline permitting and other regulations that needlessly drive up the cost of broadband deployment. 

“We urge lawmakers to set aside ideologically driven distractions like government-run networks and focus on the real task at hand: connecting more Americans who legitimately lack access to high speed internet.”

Read the coalition letter, which was organized by Taxpayers Protection Alliance, here.

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