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HR 600 115th Congress House International Affairs Computer security and identity theft Computers and information technology Congressional oversight Department of State Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad Economic development Executive agency funding and structure Foreign aid and international relief International organizations and cooperation Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Peace Corps Public-private cooperation Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations U.S. and foreign investments

Digital GAP Act

Introduced: January 23, 2017 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 5, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624.
Oct 5, 2018
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 26, 2018
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jan 30, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 24, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 24, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H657-658)
Jan 24, 2017
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)
Jan 24, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 600.
Jan 24, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H657-660)
Jan 24, 2017
Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 23, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jan 23, 2017
Introduced in House
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 4,067 — — Pending —
SAMDT 4,060 — — Pending —
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(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's happening now October 5, 2018

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

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Meng, Grace
New York · Jan 23, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 600: Digital GAP Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-600/
MLA
"H.R. 600: Digital GAP Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-600/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 600, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-600/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 600: Digital GAP Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-600/)
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