House, Senate Democrats unveil $94 billion bill to improve Internet access

Thirty House and Senate Democrats unveiled a new $94 billion proposal to make broadband Internet access more accessible and affordable nationwide, aiming to remedy some of the digital inequalities that have kept millions of Americans offline during the coronavirus pandemic. The new effort, chiefly authored by Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), marks one of the most expensive, ambitious broadband packages proposed in recent years. It aims to commit record-breaking sums to bring Internet service to areas where it doesn’t exist, improve speeds in places where connectivity is sluggish and help families who are struggling to pay their monthly bills. Democrats believe they have a viable opening to advance their legislation, known as the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, as part of the looming debate over infrastructure reform. Congress is expected to turn to the matter after lawmakers completed legislative work on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, which similarly included significant sums to help families access the Internet.

The new proposal put forward by House and Senate Democrats carries a $94 billion price tag, most of which would be set aside for a new fund to build out broadband infrastructure in areas where Americans lack speedy service. The bill gives preference to projects that help rural and tribal areas or those that provide better, cheaper Internet to lower-income communities. It requires that the resulting broadband networks be much faster than what millions of Americans currently have. The bill also sets aside an additional $6 billion to extend an affordability program authorized by Congress as part of a stimulus bill in December. That program is set to start paying up to $50 in monthly subsidies to families in financial need, marking a dramatic expansion of the country’s existing, troubled digital safety net program. The new Democrats’ proposal essentially doubles the program’s pool of funds, meaning Americans will see additional months of aid before the program expires. Other elements of the bill seek to improve digital literacy, help students obtain wireless hot spots and bring more transparency to Internet pricing, requiring the Federal Communications Commission for the first time to collect and make available data on how much people are paying nationwide for Internet access. Other elements seek to make it easier for broadband providers to navigate the digging process to lay their wires in the first place.