Rep Lawrence, Sens Stabenow and Peters Lead Bicameral Letter to Congressional Leadership on Broadband Access Amid Outbreak

The entire Democratic Michigan delegation urged Congressional Leadership to prioritize and provide funding for essential broadband programs to ensure all Americans, especially those most in need, have access to high-speed internet in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Congress considers priorities in the next COVID-19 relief package, the Members of Congress urged the inclusion of robust funding for the following provisions/programs to ensure Americans across the country have access to high-speed internet:

1. FCC’s Lifeline Program- The Lifeline program provides discounted phone and data service for qualifying low-income consumers to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to stay connected with work, their families, and the community;
2. FCC’s E-Rate Educational Connectivity Program- The E-rate program assists schools and libraries in obtaining affordable access to broadband for students and community members who have access to it; and
3. Fully Fund Farm Bill Broadband Programs- The 2018 Farm Bill made significant improvements to long-standing USDA Rural Development broadband programs, including provisions creating a grant component, raising speed standards for eligible communities, and incentivizing technology that will meet the future needs of rural communities for decades. Congress should ensure that the Rural Broadband Access Grant, Loan and Loan Guarantee Program is fully implemented and funded at $350 million annually. Furthermore, all other broadband programs funded through the Farm Bill should be funded at authorized levels.