Senate Votes to Rescind E-Rate Program Funding Loaner WiFi Hotspots for Schools and Libraries
The United States Senate has passed a joint resolution to overturn "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program," a July 2024 expansion to the FCC's E-Rate program that allowed schools and libraries to utilize E-Rate resources to loan out WiFi hotspots to students, school staff, and library patrons who lack internet access at home.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) back in January, in an effort to stop the FCC from "subsidizing kids' unsupervised internet access," according to a statement from the committee. The committee argued that "the Biden administration's WiFi Hotspot Order unlawfully expanded the Universal Service Fund (USF) to subsidize WiFi hotspots for off-campus use by schoolchildren, despite the Communications Act clearly limiting the Commission's USF authority to 'classrooms.'"
While the FCC program included safeguards to ensure the supported WiFi hotspots are used for educational purposes and in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, Sen. Cruz emphasized the risks to children's online safety: "Every parent of a young child or teenager either worries about, or knows first-hand, the real dangers of the internet," he asserted in a statement. "The government shouldn't be complicit in harming students or impeding parents' ability to decide what their kids see by subsidizing unsupervised access to inappropriate content. I am proud to lead my colleagues in taking this critical step to reverse the Biden FCC's overreach and put parents back in control of their children's online access."
In response to the Senate's joint resolution vote, FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez pointed to the program's impact on broadband connectivity across the country. "This month marks one year since Congress failed to act to save the Affordable Connectivity Program — the most successful tool we've had to close the digital divide," Gomez noted. "As a result, an estimated 5 million households lost their internet connection when the program ended, while others were forced to make difficult and unimaginable choices just to stay online. Sadly, this vote will only deepen that divide by stripping away one of the few remaining tools available to schools and libraries to help students and seniors access the internet — whether to do their homework, apply for jobs, or consult with a doctor.
"WiFi hotspots are a lifeline for students and library users working to stay connected with the demands of modern life. They can mean the difference between success and setback, between inclusion and isolation. Those with sufficient internet access are increasingly separated from those without, and this decision risks widening that gap even further. Congress should focus on funding opportunities to close that gap and expand digital opportunity — not taking it away."
Various organizations joined Gomez in expressing disappointment over the Senate's vote.
"This vote is a setback for the millions of students, library patrons, and patients who depend on hotspot access to stay connected," said Joseph Wender, executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB). "But our fight isn't over. SHLB remains committed to defending digital opportunity, and we are hopeful that the House will see the harm this resolution would cause and choose a better path forward. Communities across the country, including rural and underserved areas, are counting on it."
"This disappointing vote doesn't need to become law if Congress considers how many constituents are benefiting and will benefit in the future from this program," commented Cindy Hohl, president of the American Library Association. "The enthusiasm for this vote was low. E-Rate, supported financially by the Universal Service Fund, is wildly popular. Hotspots provided through the federal E-Rate program offer a flexible, at-home opportunity for internet access, which individuals and families need, along with digital skills training that libraries are uniquely suited to provide."
"We are disappointed by the Senate's vote to repeal the FCC's E-Rate Hotspots Rule," said Amy Loyd, CEO of nonprofit advocacy organization All4Ed. "This decision threatens to widen the homework gap by cutting off a vital source of internet access funding for students — especially in low-income and rural communities. Allowing schools and libraries to use E-Rate funds for WiFi hotspots is a common-sense step that reflects the realities of modern learning. Repealing this rule helps no one. The House of Representatives should stand with students and reject this harmful resolution."
"The pandemic school closings revealed a gaping homework gap, undermining education for hundreds of thousands of low-income and rural students in particular," said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future project at New America, a nonprofit policy institute. "And yet Senate Republicans have voted to end the one remaining universal service program that helps schools connect kids in need to the internet at home and outside of school hours. This action, if it stands, will do further damage to educational outcomes nationwide."
"Following the expiration of the ACP and ECF, the E-Rate hotspot lending program was the only remaining federal support for students in the digital divide," said Amina Fazlullah, head of tech policy advocacy for Common Sense Media. "We're disappointed that the Senate moved forward with this drastic and short-sighted measure to end the program instead of using the expertise of the FCC to make improvements. In today's digital world, internet access is as essential to school success as textbooks, pencils, and calculators. Now more than ever, it's important for Congress to focus on supporting the more than 16 million K-12 students who lack a reliable at-home connection. Our research has shown that when students are disconnected, America loses more than $30 billion in GDP per year. Without consistent, affordable, high-speed internet at home, our students — and our economy — will suffer."
The resolution has now moved to the House of Representatives, where similar legislation was introduced in February; to date, neither resolution has yet gone to a House vote.