Last week, Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced legislation that would install Wi-Fi on school busses across the country.

The bipartisan bill aims to close the “homework gap” that for years now has been an obstacle for low-income and rural students without the ability to access the internet at home, by allowing the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-Rate program to reimburse schools that place wi-fi technology on school buses carrying students to school or school related extracurricular activities.

In a press release issued by Senator Udall’s office, he addressed the fact that nearly one-third of kids in his state are at risk of falling behind their classmates, all because they are unable to access the internet outside of school.

“Every New Mexico kid should have every opportunity to succeed – no matter where they live,” Udall stated. “It’s time to end the homework gap. Our legislation will help give all students the ability to get online to study and do homework assignments while they’re on the bus – a common sense, 21st century solution.”

Senator Gardner also weighed in on how students back in his home state of Colorado would also benefit from this initiative. “Many students in rural school districts across Colorado and the country spend hours on the bus each day commuting to and from school and traveling to sporting events,” said Gardner. “This will help rural students and especially low-income students who may not otherwise have access to mobile Internet.”

This is not the first time Senators in Washington have come together to bridge party lines in an attempt to close the “homework gap.” In 2015, Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), led the effort to ensure that the newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allowed states and school districts to spend federal education technology dollars on devices that provide Internet outside of the school day, such as mobile hotspots.

This legislation that would ensure Wi-Fi services are made available to students on school buses that would be made eligible for E-rate support is truly a win-win for everyone involved. The schools benefit from the additional funding and resources while ensuring each and every student is able to stay connected, giving those who do not have access to the internet at home the same opportunity to learn and keep up with the curriculum as the rest of their peers.