Thanks to Congress’ work on the infrastructure law, America has the funding to make internet coverage nationwide. Where broadband goes, economic growth and educational opportunity follow. But despite the federal governments’ efforts, including decades of work and billions of dollars, too many Americans still lack reliable connection, an unacceptable fact in today’s digital world.

The problem boils down to bureaucratic disorganization. Today, over 100 separate initiatives, managed by 15 individual federal agencies, have been deployed to address the digital urban-rural divide. This fragmented approach has led to inefficiencies and wasted resources. To help solve this, I have introduced legislation that would coordinate these efforts and bring communities online faster.

My bill, the PLAN for Broadband Act, would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create a national strategy to synchronize those broadband initiatives. By harmonizing these programs, we can efficiently allocate resources to the communities that need them most, and at a higher speed and a lower price tag.

In May 2022, I commissioned a non-partisan Government Accountability Office report to analyze the current maze of programs. It seemed clear to me that broadband funds could be used more effectively. Indeed, the report found local officials have struggled to navigate the complexity of broadband grant applications. They encounter a confusing variety of program requirements, timelines, approval processes, and other metrics. One county in Minnesota provides a particularly bad example of this problem. There, multiple providers received funds from different agencies under different broadband programs – all for the same project. It could all be avoided with a coherent strategy.

Federal agencies have created some safeguards against duplication, but the programs are so complex that these measures often fall short. In many cases, Congress will have to clarify confusing statutory language. I am eager for the administration to provide lawmakers with a list of these instances so we can work to remedy them quickly.

As we work toward a national plan, we can draw encouragement from progress we have already seen. Consider my home state, Mississippi. The NTIA recently approved the state’s plan to administer $1.2 billion in grants from the infrastructure law, which I negotiated as a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee. The decision brings us one step closer to unlocking these funds. Ultimately, they will lead to broadband infrastructure and increased internet adoption across the state.

In August, I visited a city that stands to benefit from efforts like these. Mound Bayou, Mississippi, celebrated its first-ever high-speed broadband installation. Because of that project, hundreds of individuals and multiple businesses will benefit from connection to this vital resource.

Congress has returned to Washington. We have a chance to create more of these success stories by passing the PLAN for Broadband Act. The legislation already has support on both sides of the aisle because its goal is universal: giving every corner of the country the tools needed to pursue the American Dream.