Walberg co-sponsors bill calling for strategy to expand broadband service

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and colleagues in the House and Senate have introduced legislation requiring the president to adopt a national strategy to close the digital divide by expanding broadband internet service.

The Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act is sponsored by Walberg, R-Tipton, and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. This legislation is based on a Government Accountability Office report that found that federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping and recommended that the president develop a national broadband strategy, a news release from Walberg's office said.

“Bridging the digital divide is critical for families, farmers, and small businesses throughout Michigan. More than ever before, having access to reliable broadband service is integral to our economy, education, health care, and most aspects of our daily lives,” Walberg said in the release. “Developing a detailed roadmap that improves the efficiency and coordination of federal broadband programs is a commonsense step we can take to accelerate deployment to the rural communities that need it most.”

“Vermont has been a leader in coordinating statewide broadband deployment, and the PLAN for Broadband Act will bring some of those same strategies that have worked for Vermonters to the federal level to help ensure that every American can access the high-speed broadband they need to thrive,” Welch said in the release.

“Closing the digital divide is one of Congress’ top priorities, but we cannot achieve that goal if our programs are mismanaged and lack coordination,” Wicker said in the release. “A national broadband strategy will ensure our agencies are synchronized and manage these programs effectively to make sure that more Americans gain access to high-speed broadband.”

“Whether it’s preventing an entrepreneur from starting an online business, hindering students' ability to complete their homework, or limiting families' ability to seek telehealth, New Mexicans know the difference between fast internet, slow internet, and no internet,” Luján in the release. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will help improve coordination between federal agencies and local and Tribal governments to deliver on the funding we made available to build high speed, affordable broadband."

Walberg and Welch serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its subcommittee on communications and technology.

Wicker is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Luján chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Walberg co-sponsors broadband strategy bill