I am proud to author, advocate, and vote for policies that ... increase access to broadband
Increase access to broadband.
Occurrences
Evidence
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Latta reintroduced the WIRELESS Leadership Act to modernize broadband permitting, saying it would streamline state and local permitting, cut through burdensome reviews, and accelerate broadband deployment so more communities can get connected. He framed the effort as closing the digital divide and expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved communities, especially in rural areas.
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Latta said the NTIA Reauthorization Act would help the agency carry out its mission to connect more Americans and close the digital divide, noting that NTIA plays a role in closing the digital divide for Americans who lack basic broadband Internet access.
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Latta and other committee leaders sent NTIA broadband program priorities urging use of FCC broadband maps, avoidance of overbuilding, equal opportunity for providers, and transparency, with the stated goal of ensuring money goes to unserved and underserved communities and protects against waste, fraud, and abuse.
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Latta introduced the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act to improve the accuracy of FCC broadband data maps by changing how broadband data is collected, on the theory that better maps would direct resources to areas lacking service.
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Latta introduced the Broadband MAPS Act, which would require the FCC to establish a challenge process so local governments could correct inaccurate broadband coverage data and better direct broadband funding to unserved and underserved communities.
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Latta announced the Rural Broadband Caucus, saying access to broadband is essential and that the caucus would bring greater attention to the need for high-speed broadband in rural America and encourage solutions to the digital divide.
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GovInfo lists H.R. 5147, the WIRELESS Leadership Act, as introduced in the House on September 4, 2025 by sponsor Robert E. Latta and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill's full title says it would streamline siting processes for personal wireless service facilities.
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GovInfo identifies Public Law 116-130, approved March 23, 2020, as the Broadband DATA Act. Its full title requires FCC rules for collecting data on broadband service availability, and the legislative history ties the enacted law to S. 1822 and H.R. 4229.
Assessments
Latta made sustained, concrete federal efforts to expand broadband access, including sponsoring or co-sponsoring broadband mapping, permitting, NTIA, and rural broadband initiatives. The strongest enacted result is the Broadband DATA Act, which became law during his House tenure and is meaningfully related to improving broadband deployment targeting, but it is an indirect mapping/data reform rather than proof that Latta delivered a completed broadband access expansion. Later bills and advocacy show serious effort but no enacted buildout or measurable access increase attributable to him in the evidence provided.
The record shows sustained and serious effort by Rep. Latta to expand broadband access through multiple bills, caucus leadership, and oversight advocacy aimed at rural and underserved communities. However, the evidence provided does not show that he delivered a completed outcome such as enacted legislation he materially advanced that demonstrably increased broadband access. Under the rubric, serious legislative attempts without proof of successful delivery should be scored as never with an effort badge. Because all cited actions occurred during his service, the timing is same_term.