Washington, D.C. -- Last night, The House passed H.R. 4510, NTIA Reauthorization Act, which included the Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act as a provision. PLAN for Broadband Act, introduced by Reps. Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Tim Walberg (R-MI), requires the Administration to develop and implement a national strategy to close the digital divide. The bipartisan, bicameral 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.

"Rural communities in New Hampshire and across the country rely on broadband services to stay connected – we must ensure that federal funding is spent effectively to allocate resources to the areas that need it most,” said Rep. Kuster. “I’m pleased that my bipartisan legislation to develop a national strategy to deliver high-speed broadband across the country and prevent wasteful, redundant spending passed the House. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this reauthorization to streamline our efforts to close the digital divide here in New Hampshire and beyond."

"Today's passage of the NTIA Reauthorization, including the PLAN for Broadband Act is an important step to closing the digital divide," said Rep. Walberg. "Rep. Kuster, our Senate colleagues, and I have recognized the need to utilize the GAO study to increase efficiency and better prevent wasteful and duplicative efforts. Broadband is an essential component to life in the modern world, and we must make sure no one is left behind. We look forward to its consideration in the Senate."

Support for the Legislation
“We are facing a moment of transformational change to close the digital divide—with investment that rivals historic efforts to bring electricity to rural America. We have a unique opportunity to ensure high-speed internet reaches everyone, everywhere, so we have to get it right. A big part of getting it right requires coordination…I thank Congresswoman Kuster and Congressman Walberg for their continued support to help coordinate our efforts to close the digital divide,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

“I applaud Representatives Walberg and Kuster as well as Senators Wicker, Luján, Thune, and Welch for their thoughtful work and leadership in introducing the PLAN for Broadband Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would fill a key gap in the federal government’s approach to broadband infrastructure spending by requiring a national strategy and implementation plan to increase coordination across broadband programs and protect against waste, fraud, and abuse,” said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.

The Senate companion is led by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John Thune (R-SD), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

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