Reactions to House Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, $7.1 Billion Emergency Connectivity Fund

On March 10, the US House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus relief package that includes more than $7 billion in funding for the E-Rate program to support emergency broadband connectivity and devices for schools and libraries and their students, staff, and patrons.

FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel: "The nation’s Homework Gap has never been more evident than during this pandemic with the move to remote learning. So, passage of the American Rescue Plan which would create the Emergency Connectivity Fund is welcome news. That’s because millions of students are locked out of the virtual classroom right now. They can’t do daily schoolwork. They’re the kids sitting outside of the fast food restaurant just trying to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go to class. Recent estimates suggest the Homework Gap may affect as many as 17 million kids with recent data suggesting as many as one in three Black, Latinx, and American Indian/Alaska Native students lack high-speed internet access at home. The Emergency Connectivity Fund could make a major difference in our ability to help these families and students. The new funding can be used to pay for eligible equipment and services for schools and libraries to provide to students who need them. If enacted into law, we look forward to implementing this program so that every student can get the connection they now need for class.”

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: "A few weeks ago, I met with Detroit middle school students to talk about their online learning experience. They told me that a large share of their classmates cannot participate, and many have quit virtual learning out of frustration with slow broadband speeds and inadequate devices. Those students are not alone. An estimated 12 million students remain locked out of the virtual classroom. This relief package’s $7 billion investment in emergency connectivity will help ensure that all students can continue learning and growing. I thank Senators Ed Markey, Maria Cantwell, Chris Van Hollen, Michael Bennet, Maggie Hassan, and Representatives Frank Pallone, Mike Doyle, and Grace Meng for their leadership and commitment to securing this vital funding.” 

Joshua Stager, deputy director of broadband and competition policy for New America’s Open Technology Institute: “The American Rescue Plan is a historic achievement that will help millions of people. In particular, we applaud Congress for directing over $7 billion to the FCC's E-Rate program, which will help students stay connected during remote and hybrid learning. OTI has petitioned the FCC since April 2020 to expand E-Rate as classrooms moved online, and we are grateful that help is finally on the way. The FCC will now oversee this funding, along with the $3.2 billion Congress appropriated in December for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. But the FCC needs more than emergency funding on an ad hoc basis—it needs legal authority. If Congress trusts the FCC with billions of dollars in broadband subsidies, it should also restore the agency's Title II authority over the broadband industry. This authority would empower the FCC to protect consumers and hold internet providers accountable while the agency oversees this multi-billion dollar investment.”

John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition: “In a word, this legislation is groundbreaking. For many years, schools and libraries tried to help their community-members who lack internet access by extending their own networks to the home. But, E-rate rules and red tape have stood in the way. This legislation gives schools and libraries the legal authority and financial means to solve the homework gap for millions of children and learners of all ages, as these anchors can now choose to purchase broadband service from existing providers or take advantage of the exciting and innovative new wireless solutions to serve their communities. The benefits of this momentous legislation will last for years to come.”

American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson: "Libraries are a lifeline for millions of people, and the people who know that best are those who need this rescue package most. Because libraries stepped up, people without home broadband have been able to keep their jobs, students and teachers have continued to learn in a remote context, and seniors and other vulnerable people have safely connected with doctors and maintained contact with loved ones. Now libraries are also helping people register for the vaccine and even serving as temporary clinics. The pandemic has exposed the level to which Americans rely on libraries to access the internet and learn to navigate it, find jobs and gain new skills, learn to read and identify what information to trust, and become actively engaged in their communities. At the same time, COVID-19 has forced many states and local governments to implement cuts and furloughs that threaten the very services that communities are relying on for relief. ALA has been working tirelessly behind the scenes for months to secure federal support for libraries and librarians. Transformative library services rely on the library workers who offer them,” said Jefferson. “In many cases, ARPA means libraries won’t have to choose between funding community programs and paying salaries of the professional staff who lead them.”