Rep. Letlow talks rural broadband needs, infrastructure bill, COVID vaccine

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA) spoke to KNOE on Wednesday outside of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Library. Letlow kicked off a district-wide education tour at the school.

Among the things Letlow has been focusing on in Washington D.C is access to broadband internet.

Letlow told KNOE, “Nothing like a pandemic to bring to light how vital rural broadband is to our district.”

She acknowledged that access to broadband internet can improve access to quality education and healthcare.

She said, “When you want to talk about education and also healthcare, but education, we need rural broadband to be able to educate our children.”

Both President Joe Biden’s infrastructure proposal and the bipartisan plan include money for broadband internet access. Despite that, Letlow wouldn’t commit to supporting either proposal.

Letlow said, “You know, it’s the political football. It just keeps going back and forth. They are using it for political reasons. I really want to make sure that that infrastructure bill addresses true infrastructure needs. Roads, bridges, ports, rural broadband. Cut the other part out.”

Despite that, Letlow acknowledges that Congress will need to pass an infrastructure bill in order to fix Louisiana’s roads and bridges.

Letlow added, “Well, that comes down from a great infrastructure bill. That it’s our job to go up there and make sure we secure. That comes down for that infrastructure bill and I’m fighting so that we receive funding.”

Letlow also touched on a variety of other topics including farming and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

On her recent call for U.S Trade Representatives to protect rice farmers, Letlow said, “You know, trade agreements are really important for our farmers. It’s important that we have the most, largest food supply, sustainable food supply in the United States and the world, but they’re opportunities for us to have those trade agreements to export it out.”

On Covid-19, Letlow pointed out that she is for the vaccine saying, “I encourage people to get the vaccine. I don’t believe the government should force anyone to do that, but I want to be an example. I want people to see what happened to us and our family, and go get the vaccine. It has life-saving capabilities. I am a proponent.”

Letlow will continue her higher education tour this week in the southern portion of her district.

Watch Representative Letlow’s complete interview with KNOE.

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