House Democrats Propose Bill to Keep Americans Connected During Pandemic

House Democratic leadership unveiled a $3 trillion relief package, the HEROES Act, that includes provisions to connect people to broadband. The legislation:

• Provides $1.5 billion through the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program immediately for schools and libraries to purchase hotspots, connected devices, connectivity and related equipment to facilitate distance learning during the emergency.
• Provides $4 billion to connect struggling families by providing up to $50 a month for those low-income families already eligible for the FCC's Lifeline program—and for those that have been laid off or furloughed—to pay their internet service bills during the emergency.
• Prohibits telephone and broadband service providers from stopping service to consumers unable to pay during the duration of the emergency.
• Helps Americans better access mental health crisis counseling by designating 9-8-8 as the nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline so that Americans that are isolated and feeling hopeless can get help.
• Drastically reduces the rates that incarcerated persons pay to connect with family and friends.
• Ensures our frontline first responders can keep using the airwaves they rely on to communicate, specifically the T-Band, so their radios and communications systems continue to work.

The House is expected to approve the bill May 15, but the measure faces an uphill battle in the Republican-led Senate for final approval.