The Hill reports on Democrats proposal to invest in rural broadband…

Congressional Democrats are calling for a $40 billion investment to expand internet access in rural and inner-city communities, likening their plan to New Deal efforts to expand the electrical grid.

The new proposal is the latest addition to the party’s “Better Deal” agenda launched in July.

Democrats say public funds are needed because internet service providers on their own have failed to cover large swaths of the population.

The article includes high level details and mentioned Minnesota’s Rick Nolan as a leader in the effort…

Under the plan, the $40 billion would go toward funding private and public infrastructure projects, mapping internet access across the country, upgrading outdated internet capabilities and building out public safety infrastructure.

The proposal was unveiled Thursday by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Tester, along with Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) and Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.).