Long before I came to Washington, D.C., to jump into the public policy arena, my early exposure to the legislative process came from one of the standard educational tools of my generation, “Schoolhouse Rock!” Seven seasons of short, animated educational films that covered grammar, science, economics and of course, civics. One of the series’ most memorable songs, “I’m Just a Bill,” detailed the long, arduous (and often messy) process that is legislating. From the introduction of a measure to committee processes, to House Rules Committee procedures, to passage in both bodies of Congress, to reconciliation, to passage, and to the president’s signature making it law. Whew! No wonder this gauntlet produces only a small percentage of the bills that are introduced.
On Monday, I was excited to be a witness to that last step as I was invited on behalf of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and our 850 member companies across the country to watch the president sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, surrounded by a bicameral and bipartisan group of Members of Congress who helped make it happen! While I had to remind my father numerous times over the weekend that I would be one of many at the White House that afternoon and could not get him one of the signing pens as a souvenir, and that he would NOT see me on television, I was still very proud to be a part of history as the most significant effort to deploy affordable broadband to all Americans became one step closer to reality.
However, I did have to eat my words to my dad before the day was through.
The day was a brisk one and while the invitation noted business attire, I figured that no one would really know or care that I had my wool ski socks under my booties with black jeans and a big fuzzy sweater under my wool coat. Gloves, scarf and hand warmers and I was ready to go! I had instructions to get a Covid test at the presidential testing center in advance and got my nose swabbed next to Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.). I thanked him for his role as chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus in the House. Taking your opportunities where you find them, of course!
Security was likely to take a few hours and presidential events never really run on time, and with a wind-chill of close to 35 with a brisk wind, I was taking no chances. I found myself standing in the security line with governors, mayors and other business leaders who have all been following the infrastructure legislation closely. Once inside the complex and on the South Lawn, there were numerous Members of Congress who NTCA members have worked with closely on broadband initiatives, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). I had the opportunity to thank them for working with our members and for listening to their pleas on broadband support.
I also recognized Mitch Landrieu from his days as mayor in New Orleans and was able to make my way over to him to also pledge NTCA’s support as implementation - the tough work - gets underway. He was gracious and seems more than ready to roll up his sleeves.
I parked myself in a seat behind the Member of Congress section until one of the White House rural liaisons who I have worked closely with came over to pull me up to the second row where there was a seat with my name on it. I was surprised and delighted but I knew that I would have an even better vantage point of the signing from my new perch.
The presentations were high on praise for the bipartisan effort that it took to get this legislation over the finish line and nearly every speaker mentioned broadband - from President Biden to the Corning fiber employee who talked about what her work in this critical field will mean for connectivity for all Americans. Then it was time for the signing and it was announced that folks with a red dot on their name tag should come to the stage. My entire row stood up. I thought the stage looked too tiny for that. Then a gracious White House Marine guard came over to share that I had a red dot as well and to hustle up to that stage. All I could think was that my mother would have been appalled that I was on a stage with the President of the United States wearing black jeans, so I kept my coat on! But that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm one bit from being a part of this historic moment on behalf of NTCA member companies - cooperative and commercial companies alike - who have been leaders in their communities in deploying and sustaining broadband networks that have allowed rural America to be a key player in the global economy.
And now the work begins. NTCA will continue to do all we can to support the efforts of our member companies who will be a key part of the solution to our nation’s digital divide. I was merely there as a nod from the Administration to the important work that NTCA members do and the important role they will play in the days ahead, and I was honored to represent you all.
