Walberg's Legislation to Bridge the Digital Divide Advanced by Energy and Commerce Committee

Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee voted to pass the Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act. Introduced by Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA), the bipartisan legislation would implement a national strategy to accelerate the deployment of critical broadband infrastructure across the country.

"We cannot let Michigan's rural communities get left behind in today's digital age due to fragmented and overlapping broadband deployment efforts," said Rep. Walberg. "I am proud to see the Energy and Commerce Committee advance the PLAN for Broadband Act to improve the efficiency and coordination of federal broadband programs. Developing a detailed roadmap that streamlines deployment efforts is a commonsense step we can take to increase reliable high-speed internet access for the rural communities that need it most."

Background

The PLAN for Broadband Act is based upon a Government Accountability Office report that found that federal broadband efforts are oftentimes fragmented and duplicative. While enough federal funding exists to bridge the digital divide, a national broadband strategy is needed to avoid duplicative efforts and ensure that funds are available to reach the truly unserved and underserved areas. The PLAN forBroadband Act would require the Administration to develop and implement a national strategy to close the digital divide.

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.