(NAFB) – Rural Broadband is key to rural economic survival, but lawmakers of both parties say the federal government doesn’t have its act together on servicing rural America. Rural businesses, farms, schools, libraries, hospitals, and homes need help.

But Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who is one of just two farmers in the Senate, told a recent Commerce Committee hearing that he’s frustrated. Some areas already with broadband are getting more help from three pots of federal money.

The Democrat was joined by Texas Republican Ted Cruz in calling for better targeting and coordination in spending hundreds of billions overall on rural broadband.

Former FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly agreed and suggested that agency would best coordinate massive broadband spending, now also handled by USDA and Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.