Bill · S. 323· Senate(119-S-323)
PLAN for Broadband Act
- Introduced
- 1/29/2025
- Last activity
- 6/1/2026 — By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.
- Sponsored by
- Roger Wicker
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to create a National Strategy to synchronize various Federal broadband programs. The strategy aims to improve the management of these programs to ensure high-speed, affordable internet access for all people in the United States. It focuses on increasing interagency coordination and streamlining the process for permitting and infrastructure installation. Additionally, the bill requires the development of an Implementation Plan to execute the strategy. It also includes provisions for government accountability through studies by the Government Accountability Office. Finally, the act seeks to reduce waste, fraud, and administrative burdens within the broadband deployment process.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+8
The bill specifically mandates a national strategy to increase the deployment of, access to, and affordability of broadband internet access service.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically requires addressing the gap on Tribal lands regarding broadband internet access service.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The strategy aims to improve broadband deployment which is critical for rural connectivity.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Internet Access: The strategy aims to support the goal of providing all individuals in the United States with access to high-speed, affordable broadband internet access service (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Increased Efficiency and Fiscal Responsibility: The bill seeks to ensure that funding for Federal broadband programs is used in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Reduced Administrative Burdens: The strategy is intended to reduce unnecessary barriers, eliminate unnecessary costs, and ease administrative burdens for participating in Federal broadband programs (Section 3(a)(4)).
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Streamlined Infrastructure Deployment: The bill aims to synchronize coordination regarding the process for approving permits, easements, rights of way, or leases required to install or maintain broadband infrastructure (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Addressing Tribal Needs: The strategy includes requirements to address specific issues relating to closing the gap on Tribal lands regarding broadband internet access service (Section 3(b)(13)(14)).
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Prevention of Waste and Fraud: The implementation plan includes measures to monitor, publicly report, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal broadband programs (Section 4(b)(8)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Limits for Specific Locations: The strategy may propose a maximum amount for a subsidy or funding award to provide broadband service to a single location (Section 3(b)(13)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+8
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+1
- 6/1/2026
- By Senator Cruz from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 119-123. Minority views filed.
- 5/21/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- 1/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont