House Commerce Committee Republicans Pan E-Rate Proposal

House Commerce Committee leaders have told Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler that any effort to expand the size of the E-Rate subsidy is a non-starter.

The FCC is planning to vote on a Wheeler-led revamp of the E-Rate program. The program, subsidized by telecom companies -- and ultimately rate-payers -- provides advanced telecommunications to schools and libraries.

In this case, Chairman Wheeler wants to boost investment in wireless broadband in an effort to migrate it from traditional service. In a letter to Chairman Wheeler, House Commerce Committee chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications Subcommittee chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), said they were concerned by reports the FCC planned to grow the Universal Service Fund E-Rate subsidy beyond its current $9 billion "on the back of rate-payers."