Chairman Pai Response Regarding Connectivity During COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 19, 2020, Reps Darren Soto (D-FL), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge his full consideration of policies that would protect Americans' access to communications services by ensuring that no one gets their cell phone, landline, or internet access disconnected during the COVID-19 national emergency.

On March 30, Chairman Pai responded by saying he was committed to using every resource at the FCC's disposal to deal with this "unprecedented national emergency," and outlined measures the FCC has taken including the Keep Americans Connected pledge, additional broadband connectivity programs, Universal Service Fund changes, and granting special licenses to use additional spectrum o meet customer demand.