Senate Passes Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act, 2 Other Tech/Telecom Bills

The Senate passed the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act (S-645) and two other tech and telecom bills Thursday under unanimous consent. The others were the Amber Alert Nationwide Act (S-3461) and an amended version of the House-passed National Quantum Initiative Act (HR-6227). S-645 and House companion HR-5093 would compel a Bureau of Economic Analysis assessment of effects of broadband deployment and adoption (see 1703150053). S-3461 and House companion HR-6350 would fund integration of all U.S. territories into the national Amber alerts program (see 1809240038). HR-6227 would establish a National Quantum Coordination Office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (see 1809130065). Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who sponsored S-645, praised Senate passage. It "will help provide us with the reliable, publicly available economic data we need to make informed decisions about expanding broadband, connecting our communities, and keeping us competitive,” Klobuchar said. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., and ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., lauded passage of the amended HR-6227. “Establishing a national quantum program is essential to maintaining our position as global leaders in science and technology,” Thune said. “If the U.S. is to lead the way in quantum, we will need a coordinated federal effort to focus resources, unify public and private sector interests, and train a quantum-ready workforce,” blogged Intel Director-Quantum Hardware Jim Clarke.