Iowa’s Third District Congresswoman Cindy Axne was in Adel Tuesday, meeting with community leaders about the proposed rural broadband legislation.

Among those gathered at Patrick’s Restaurant were Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Bengtson, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Superintendent Greg Dufoe and Director of Technology Chad Frerichs, and Adel Mayor Jim Peters. Some key talking points included speed and data caps for students, questionable access and reliability for businesses, and telehealth services for individuals including veterans. It was the first in-person roundtable Axne had been able to host since March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each attendee was able to discuss their issues with internet connectivity, and Axne addressed those issues and how the proposed legislation will affect them.

The Congresswoman emphasized that broadband access in rural America, and particularly in Iowa, is something that has been put under the microscope as a result of the viral outbreak, and it’s something she’s committed to tackling. “We know that if we don’t provide that opportunity with connectivity, we’re going to continue to increase that divide between those who have the connectivity and those who don’t. The one thing that I think is acutely clear as a result of COVID, is that this is our time to recognize that those systemic inequities that have existed in our country over the years needs to be addressed. And if we don’t address it now as this pandemic continues to stay within our country, we’re only going to exacerbate that further.”

The $80 billion rural broadband bill is part of comprehensive infrastructure legislation proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which will be put to a vote next week.