Groups working to close the digital divide were praising the introduction Thursday of the Digital Equity Act.

The bill, announced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.)--Sen. Angus King (I-Me.) is also said to be a co-sponsor--is meant to "direct new federal investments to help people in our communities access the tools and support necessary to take full advantage of a broadband connection when they have one," according to Murray.

It is the other side of the effort to boost broadband deployment in underserved and unserved areas. Once they build it, subs need to come, as it were, which means they need to not only afford it, but know how to use it and understand the benefits. For example, discounts on online filing of auto registration renewals becomes a regressive tax for those without broadband or without the knowledge to use it.

A copy of the bill was not available, but according to bill supporter Mobile Citizen, it has $1.3 billion in federal funding for "digital inclusion" projects.

Murray tweeted the news:

[embed]https://twitter.com/PattyMurray/status/1116395438364557314[/embed]

“We applaud Sen. Murray's introduction of the Digital Equity Act," said Public Knowledge Communications Justice Fellow Alisa Valentin. "It's an important step towards ensuring that all Americans can participate in the digital age, including those most impacted by the digital divide such as people of color and low-income communities."

Cassie Bair, chief business development executive of Mobile Citizen, also lauded the legislation.

“At Mobile Citizen we believe true social equity is not possible without ensuring everyone has access to high-quality broadband internet and other digital tools," said Bair. "Lack of these vital resources affects countless Americans and creates real barriers to upward social mobility. Whether it’s a student who has difficulty completing their homework because of lack of internet access at home or it’s a low-income job seeker who has difficulty finding work because they lack the computer needed to apply for a job, the digital divide has real consequences for real people."

Legislators from both houses of Congress and both sides of the aisle have written to President Donald Trump asking him to include broadband in any infrastructure initiative.

Trump has pledged to spend a trillion dollars on an infrastructure effort, but has not yet fleshed out a proposal

Forty-eight senators have signed onto a letter that asks the President to address infrastructure needs for the "deployment of high-speed, reliable broadband for all Americans," the office of Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said.

FCC chairman Ajit Pai has already promised to make closing the digital divide a priority of his chairmanship, Tuesday announcing the creation of an advisory committee to help with that effort by coming up with model codes to speed permitting and rights of way, and clearing away regulatory "red tape."

The senators said improving broadband access must be a priority of Congress, as well as the administration.

A similar letter, King's office said, was sent to Trump by the House Broadband Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio).

The Senate letter is reprinted in full below:

Dear Mr. President:

As you work with Congress to address the infrastructure needs of our country, we urge you to prioritize policies as part of any infrastructure initiative that will promote deployment of high-speed, reliable broadband for all Americans. Expanding access to broadband, both rural and urban, is the infrastructure challenge of our generation and we cannot afford to wait to make progress on this important goal. 

The internet has changed the way businesses reach their customers and workers do their jobs. From large companies that employ thousands to small businesses on Main Street, broadband access is not a luxury, it is a necessity. The internet expands opportunities for commerce and strengthens our economy. A broad agenda to promote broadband access will empower Americans living in every community – from urban city centers to rural towns – with economic opportunities that will jumpstart growth in jobs and wages. In fact, for every $5 billion invested in broadband infrastructure, 250,000 jobs are created and with every percentage point increase in new broadband distribution, employment expands by 300,000.

These benefits can only be fully realized when connections are fast, reliable, and affordable. That is why improving broadband access must be a priority in the 115th Congress and broadband must be part of any discussions regarding infrastructure investments to meet the demands of the 21st century economy. In addition, policies that reduce barriers to investment in communications infrastructure and streamline the deployment process will play a key role in expanding economic growth.

In order to maintain the United States’ position as a global leader for innovation, we must invest to expand our broadband infrastructure. This effort should include bringing broadband connections to locations where economic conditions or geography have made deployment difficult and improving the quality and affordability of existing broadband connections.

We look forward to working with you to expand broadband access to all Americans.

A bipartisan quintet of Senators is launching the Senate Broadband Caucus today (July 12).

Founding members include Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), according to Capito's office.

The caucus is being billed as "a platform to discuss emerging broadband issues in Congress, and will promote solutions that increase Internet access and close the digital divide in America."

Plenty of those broadband issues are either emerging or already percolating on the Hill, including the FCC broadband privacy proposal getting a vetting in the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday.

“I thank Senators Capito, King, Klobuchar, Boozman and Heitkamp for investing time and resources to create the Senate Broadband Caucus,” said Competitive Carriers Association President Steven Berry. “Access to mobile broadband is essential to increase connectivity in rural America and provide the same economic, educational, healthcare and social opportunities and benefits afforded to consumers in urban and suburban areas of the country.  The formation of the Senate Broadband Caucus demonstrates that Congress understands the importance of broadband as a vital resource and economic engine for jobs and growth for communities, businesses and individuals in every corner of the country.”

“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association commends Sens. Capito, King, Klobuchar, Heitkamp and Boozman for organizing a caucus related to an important issue on which they have already shown tremendous leadership," said NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association president Shirley Bloomfield. "Robust, reliable and affordable broadband becomes more essential to the quality of life in rural America each day. NTCA and its members are thankful for these senators who represent large rural areas and understand the importance of available and sustainable broadband to residents and businesses. We look forward to working with them through the new Senate Broadband Caucus.”