WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) continued his commitment to strengthening rural broadband and helping expand telehealth and distance learning opportunities.

In a hearing before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, Boozman questioned Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai on the level of collaboration among federal agencies as it relates to information about high-speed internet access and efforts to bring the service to more Americans

As more Americans are taking precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19, they are relying more on at-home broadband to connect to health providers and teachers, as well as for teleworking.

“Is there a formal working group that’s talking about how to share information?” Boozman asked.

While Chairman Pai said collaboration has been occurring, Boozman urged the FCC to create a formal way to share information in a reliable and timely manner given how quickly the work environment has changed this year.

Watch Boozman’s questions to Chairman Pai here.

Boozman is a founder and co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus. He is a cosponsor of critical legislation to expand broadband to rural areas that includes the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2020 and the Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act.