Congress Must Not Turn Its Back on America’s Families

With broadband now as important as electricity was in the last century, affordable connectivity is more critical than ever. Through the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which provides free or discounted internet service of up to $50 a month ($75 on tribal lands) toward the cost of a consumer’s internet bill for people who qualify, Congress has made it clear that affordable connectivity is a top priority with bipartisan support. The benefit tackles an important racial and economic injustice: About 10 percent of both Black and Hispanic Americans and 13 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives have no internet subscription compared to 6 percent of White households. Without affordable technology, communities of color are unable to access health care or educational and job opportunities. The EBB program is an important watershed moment — but it is only the first step. The current bipartisan infrastructure bill includes funding to extend the life of the EBB program under a new name and at a slightly lower subsidy level. A rapid and bold effort to support a permanent broadband benefit and digital inclusion program is necessary to meaningfully address the serious gaps in broadband adoption and ensure all families, no matter their color or zip code, can benefit equally from advances in technology.

[Wade Henderson is the interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.]