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Bill115th CongressFiled Jan 23, 2017International Affairs
H.R. 600

Digital GAP Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed house without amendment (Jan 24, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2017 or the Digital GAP Act

(Sec. 4) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to coordinate with foreign governments, international and regional organizations, businesses, and civil society to close the digital gap in developing countries.

(Sec. 5) The President is urged to direct U.S. representatives to international bodies to advocate for: (1) increasing efforts to promote affordable and gender-equitable Internet access and integrating such access data into economic and business assessments, evaluations, and indexes; (2) standardizing inclusion of broadband conduit-fiber optic cables; (3) providing technical assistance to remove investment barriers and strengthen market growth; and (4) protecting human rights online.

(Sec. 6) It is the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of State should seek to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance efforts in carrying out the policies and objectives of this bill, including by redesignating an existing Assistant Secretary position in the State Department to be the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace; and (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development should integrate efforts to expand Internet access and establish guidelines for the protection of personal information of individuals served by humanitarian, disaster, and development programs.

(Sec.8) The Peace Corps Act is amended to express the sense of Congress that the Peace Corps should develop volunteer positions focused on leveraging technology for development, education, and social and economic mobility.

(Sec. 9) The President shall transmit plans to Congress to promote U.S. and U.S.-funded agency partnerships with the private and public sectors to provide Internet access or infrastructure in developing countries.

(Sec. 10) The President shall report to Congress on efforts to implement the policies specified in this bill.

What just happenedOct 5, 2018

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39](R-CA)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors2committees14actions2amendments15subjects
  1. Oct 5, 2018Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624.

  2. Oct 5, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  3. Oct 5, 2018Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  4. Sep 26, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  5. Jan 30, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  6. Jan 24, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  7. Jan 24, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H657-658)

  8. Jan 24, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text of measure as passed: CR H657-658)

  9. Jan 24, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 600.

  10. Jan 24, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H657-660)

  11. Jan 24, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  12. Jan 23, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  13. Jan 23, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Jan 23, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House without amendmentJan 24, 201781

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2017 or the Digital GAP Act

(Sec. 4) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to coordinate with foreign governments, international and regional organizations, businesses, and civil society to close the digital gap in developing countries.

(Sec. 5) The President is urged to direct U.S. representatives to international bodies to advocate for: (1) increasing efforts to promote affordable and gender-equitable Internet access and integrating such access data into economic and business assessments, evaluations, and indexes; (2) standardizing inclusion of broadband conduit-fiber optic cables; (3) providing technical assistance to remove investment barriers and strengthen market growth; and (4) protecting human rights online.

(Sec. 6) It is the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of State should seek to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance efforts in carrying out the policies and objectives of this bill, including by redesignating an existing Assistant Secretary position in the State Department to be the Assistant Secretary for Cyberspace; and (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development should integrate efforts to expand Internet access and establish guidelines for the protection of personal information of individuals served by humanitarian, disaster, and development programs.

(Sec.8) The Peace Corps Act is amended to express the sense of Congress that the Peace Corps should develop volunteer positions focused on leveraging technology for development, education, and social and economic mobility.

(Sec. 9) The President shall transmit plans to Congress to promote U.S. and U.S.-funded agency partnerships with the private and public sectors to provide Internet access or infrastructure in developing countries.

(Sec. 10) The President shall report to Congress on efforts to implement the policies specified in this bill.

Introduced in HouseJan 23, 2017

Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2017 or the Digital GAP Act

This bill states that it is U.S. policy to coordinate with foreign governments, international and regional organizations, businesses, and civil society to close the digital gap in developing countries.

The President is urged to direct U.S. representatives to international bodies to advocate for: (1) increasing efforts to promote gender-equitable Internet access, (2) standardizing inclusion of broadband conduit-fiber optic cables, (3) providing technical assistance to remove investment barriers and strengthen market growth, and (4) protecting human rights online.

It is the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of State should seek to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance efforts in carrying out the policies and objectives of this bill, and (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development should integrate efforts to expand Internet access.

The Peace Corps Act is amended to express the sense of Congress that the Peace Corps should develop volunteer positions focused on leveraging technology for development, education, and social and economic mobility.

The President shall transmit plans to Congress to promote U.S. and U.S.-funded agency partnerships with the private and public sectors to provide Internet access or infrastructure in developing countries.

Digital GAP Act — Informed