NASHVILLE, TENN. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr joined the Tennessee Broadband Association in a roundtable discussion about expanding broadband in the state.

“Every Tennessean should have access to broadband, regardless of zip code,”said Senator Blackburn. “As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have worked to remove federal barriers and encourage private investment to expand broadband networks in rural communities. I appreciate Commissioner Carr for joining me in Nashville to highlight how we can work together to improve connectivity in the Volunteer State.” 

“It is great to be back in the Volunteer State with Senator Blackburn who has been such a strong leader on expanding telehealth and rural broadband—priorities that have only taken on added urgency over the past two years. This visit is especially timely because the U.S. Government Accountability Office—the congressional watchdog—recently noted that the Administration’s new broadband initiatives are not guided by a coordinated national strategy. Without a course correction, there is a real risk that rural communities may be left behind. So these events with Senator Blackburn represent important steps towards filling that gap in leadership. I applaud Senator Blackburn’s leadership and work to promote a more coordinated and streamlined approach to connecting every corner of the state to high-speed Internet offerings,” said Commissioner Carr.