Months Into The Pandemic, Digital Divide Still Leaves Poor Kids At A Disadvantage

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and nearly 40 other senators are pressing the Federal Communications Commission to take action on the learning gap, urging FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to allow broadband connection into students' homes by expanding the E-Rate Program, which helps schools and libraries connect to the internet. "The FCC has the power to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on our most vulnerable families," they wrote. "We now urge you in the strongest possible terms to utilize this authority to provide internet connectivity and devices for children in need." Chairman Pai has argued that the program is specifically for classrooms, not students' homes. "We always have the discretion to waive our rules, for good cause shown," Chairman Pai said during a June congressional hearing. "But we can't waive a statute." Chairman Pai said that "the statute says specifically that services to classrooms is what the FCC can support through the E rate program." But Sen Van Hollen argued that the FCC has the ability to expand the program without permission from Congress.