Do We Still Have Broadband HEROES?

This week, House Democrats unveiled (and later passed) an updated version of the HEROES Act, a pandemic-relief bill the House passed in May, but was never considered by the U.S. Senate. The original Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act included a number of provisions aimed at getting and keeping more people in the U.S. connected and safe during the pandemic. The updated legislation would reduce the price tag of economic relief to $2.2 trillion, compared with the $3.5 trillion bill the House passed in May. Does that mean less support for broadband connections? Government data showed U.S. household income fell sharply in August, due to a drop in unemployment benefits. Worker layoffs also remained high. We obviously need some heroes to deliver relief and help keep us all connected.