{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=E4B8885B-D86E-41A9-9487-A3BA3CFD0B61", "Fischer, Thune, Fetterman Introduce Legislation to Improve Broadband Mapping", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", "fischer", "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers (MAP) Act of 2026 to improve the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) broadband mapping process.\n\n\u201cWe need a better understanding of where internet connectivity falls short, especially in rural America,\u201dFischer said. \u201cWith broadband maps, we can accomplish this goal; however, they must be accurate. I\u2019m joining Leader Thune to make sure these maps correctly identify unserved and underserved communities. This will safeguard taxpayer dollars while connecting more Americans to high-speed internet.\u201d\n\n\u201cBroadband providers who are on the ground in South Dakota and across rural America have vital, firsthand knowledge of the communities they serve,\u201d Thune said. \u201cEnsuring the accuracy of the FCC\u2019s broadband map and its corresponding challenge process is critical to build on our progress to make federal broadband investments as effective and efficient as possible. I thank Chairman Carr for supporting our efforts and for his continued commitment to connecting households across our country to the internet.\u201d\n\n\u201cBroadband internet is a necessity, especially for our rural communities,\u201dFetterman said. \u201cThe first step we can take to ensure families have internet access across Pennsylvania and the country is figuring out who still doesn\u2019t. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Thune in introducing this bill to get us one step closer to bringing connectivity to every American. I look forward to working with the FCC when the maps are complete to continue to expand broadband.\u201d\n\nThis legislation is supported by NTCA\u2014The Rural Broadband Association and NCTA\u2014The Internet and Television Association.\n\nMike Romano, CEO, NTCA \u2013 The Rural Broadband Association, said, \u201cWhile we have seen improvements to the National Broadband Map over time, precisely because this is an iterative and evolving process, there is more to be done to make sure the map accurately captures where services are in fact available and the locations that could be served. The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would help spur continuous improvement in the map through a renewed look at the standards and processes used to develop and refine it. I applaud Majority Leader Thune and Senators Fetterman and Fischer for their leadership in seeking to ensure that broadband policy and funding decisions are based upon the best possible real-world data.\u201d\n\nCory Gardner, President and CEO, NCTA \u2013 The Internet and Television Association, said, \u201cWe appreciate Senators Thune, Fetterman, and Fischer\u2019s leadership in introducing the Broadband MAP Act of 2026. This legislation is an important step toward streamlining broadband permitting and accelerating network deployment. We look forward to working with them on bipartisan solutions that comprehensively address permitting challenges and help ensure every American has access to reliable, high-speed broadband.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nSince its launch in 2011, the FCC has made significant strides in enhancing the accuracy of its National Broadband Map.\n\nHowever, providers have reported difficulties with the FCC\u2019s challenge process, which allows providers to dispute the serviceability of certain locations.\n\nThis legislation instructs the FCC to review and assess the mapping and challenge process to work better for providers who are working to get Americans connected.\n\nFischer has also worked to reform the Broadband Funding Map which she created in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Fischer\u2019s bill to reform broadband funding reporting to the FCC, making sure federal dollars are being spent responsibility on broadband deployment.\n\nSee full bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=E4B8885B-D86E-41A9-9487-A3BA3CFD0B61"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.486398046836257, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}