Foster Applauds White House Efforts To Increase Internet Access, Calls On Congress To Pass Digital Divide Act

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The White House announced a new effort to increase access to high-speed broadband for low-income families. The initiative, ConnectHome, will help to bring high-speed broadband to over 275,000 low-income households.

Last year, Foster introduced the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act to help low-income children compete at a high level with their peers by providing internet access for students living in poverty. This legislation would provide families with students that qualify for free or reduced lunch and live in HUD-assisted housing with broadband Internet access. Families would be required to use the broadband provider in their area at the lowest possible rate. They would also pay for the installation. Neither cable nor satellite television would be covered.  Finally, a protective filter would be included with the service that an adult in the household could regulate.

In May, Foster was joined by Anthony Riley, Regional Director, Department of Housing and Urban Development at an event in Joliet to discuss the legislation.

“I am pleased to see the White House launch this program to help low-income Americans gain access to basic Internet services and I am hopeful that this will encourage my colleagues in Congress to join me in working to close the digital divide,” said Foster. “Internet access isn’t a luxury item, it’s essential to success in today’s economy. We need to make sure we are providing low-income students with the tools they need to succeed, and basic Internet access is essential to that.”

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