Revamped 'Make It in America' Plan Involves Broadband Infrastructure Focus

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., revived his "Make It In America" initiative Monday and included broadband policy among its priorities, said a fact sheet about the revamped initiative. The U.S. must “invest in modern technology infrastructure, including broadband, which is critical to ensuring businesses have access to the growing majority of their customers,” the fact sheet said. It includes sections on promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the growth of “the on-demand economy” while protecting labor rights. The plan was launched in 2010, and Hoyer’s office touts 17 bills based on it signed into law since then. “Access to broadband is an equally important part of the modern system of commerce,” Hoyer said Monday in Baltimore, according to prepared remarks of his speech. “Without it, businesses do not have access to the growing majority of their consumers. It’s that simple.” Hoyer referred to hearings that House Democrats held starting last July, which helped inform the current plan. “We heard testimony on the ‘Internet of Things’ and its potential to bring thousands of new, innovative products to market -- if the conditions are right,” Hoyer said. House Democrats are also in the midst of putting together a separate platform of ideas known as their Innovation Agenda 2.0, a platform driven by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. (see 1606010050).