Walberg, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bridge Digital Divide

Today, Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced the Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act. This bipartisan legislation would require the Administration to develop and implement a national strategy to close the digital divide. 

The PLAN for Broadband Act is based upon a Government Accountability Office report that found federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping. The report recommended that a national broadband strategy is needed to avoid duplication and ensure funds are reaching the truly unserved and underserved.

"In today's digital age, having access to reliable broadband service is integral to our economy, education, and most aspects of our daily lives," said Rep. Walberg. "Experts have testified that while we have enough funding to close the digital divide, we don't have the coordination necessary to effectively allocate these resources to the communities that need it most. We must develop a roadmap to improve the efficiency and coordination of federal broadband programs so that we can streamline efforts and accelerate the deployment of broadband. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure that more Americans gain access to the high-speed broadband they need to thrive." 

Congressman Walberg serves as a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress, visit walberg.house.gov.