Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Senators Wicker and Thune Regarding Keeping Americans Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On February 12, Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel raising concerns about the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) long-term sustainability as a mechanism to close the nation’s digital divide. [See our coverage.] On February 26, Chairwoman Rosenworcel replied with some details about an open FCC proceeding considering petitions filed by a broad array of stakeholders -- including the Mississippi Department of Education, the State of Nevada, the State of Colorado, the Florida Department of Management Services, among others -- on how the E-Rate program could be used to support remote learning during the pandemic. "As we assess this record, we will be mindful of the issues identified in your letter including how this effort could complement other sources of funding, the need to engage in reasoned analysis by experts at the agency including the Office of Economics and Analytics, how to account for school needs in light of remote learning and re-opening plans, and how to develop smart programmatic controls," she wrote. She also said she looked forward to working with Congress on how to improve the Universal Service Fund contribution system.