Dividing the country won’t bridge the digital divide

[Commentary] [Democratic members of the House Commerce Committee's] infrastructure plan provides critical support for the next-generation communications networks. We are proposing to:

• Invest $40 billion to ensure every state gets access to new, high-speed networks.
• Mandate the Federal Communications Commission to collect better data about our networks because, unfortunately, the FCC makes too many decisions based on faulty information.
• Coordinate existing subsidy programs to make sure funds are spent efficiently.
• Require the FCC to spend more time focusing on the forgotten areas of our cities that broadband providers have passed over.
• Support cities and towns across the country in forging new public-private partnerships with service providers.
• Ensure that we do not forget Indian country.

The Republican proposals announced to date would turn Americans against each other by picking winners and losers.  They pit rural communities against cities, industry against local control of local lands, and increased coverage against the sanctity of our public spaces.