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National broadband strategy bill proposal overview:
- Who: A bipartisan group of four lawmakers has proposed a new bill revolving around a national broadband strategy for the federal government.
- Why: The new bill follows a report released in May by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that found federal agencies working on broadband deployment needed to do more to coordinate their efforts.
- Where: The proposed bill would have an effect on consumers nationwide.
The White House may soon have to develop a national broadband internet strategy following a bill proposed by a bipartisan group of four lawmakers last week.
The Democratic and Republican lawmakers — including two senators and two representatives — proposed the bill after a congressional watchdog recently determined that federal efforts to aid broadband deployment were “fragmented,” Law360 reports.
Known as the Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act, the proposed bill would require President Biden to “develop a national strategy to close the digital divide and a plan to implement that strategy,” according to the office of Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded in a report released in May that too many federal agencies were not coordinating their efforts enough, while recommending a new strategy be adopted, Law360 reports.
“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 a statement. “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.”
GAO says FCC, other agencies must ensure broadband projects don’t overlap
The GAO determined that federal agencies including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Rural Utilities Service need to do more to make sure their work on broadband projects does not overlap, Law360 reports.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., meanwhile, was also among the group of lawmakers proposing the bill, saying adopting a new strategy would allow the White House to be more effective in the way it uses federal dollars.
“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,” Luján said in a statement.
A separate report released last month by GAO called for the federal government to make improvements for broadband internet access on tribal lands.
Additionally, the FCC voted unanimously in January to consider issuing new requirements for product labeling in the broadband service industry.
Do you believe the federal government can do more to coordinate their efforts with broadband internet deployment? Let us know in the comments!
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