Sign now to demand Congress take action to expand broadband internet access

As families adapt to the evolving restrictions and safeguards in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of reliable access to the Internet is clear. Small businesses are creating high-tech solutions to reach their customers, families, and friends are coming together for birthday Zoom chats, children are attending class online and their parents attempting to get some work done in between.

Due to a significant digital divide, this isn't the case for every family in the United States. Closing this gap between those with Internet and computer access and those without – is of critical importance. Consider just two examples:

• Unemployment: right now, 22 million Americans are unemployed, but without reliable access to computers or the Internet, millions of people are unable to apply for new jobs or the unemployment benefits they desperately need.

• Children in lower-income families: many of our schools have transitioned to online learning, but children from often low-income families in both rural and urban areas are falling behind without the resources they need to connect with their teachers and classmates.

Sign the petition urging my colleagues in Congress to close the digital divide.